Creative Loafing Tampa — March 16, 2023

VISITING SHIPS

ELISSA

GALVESTON, TX (1877)

Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) brought Elissa, an 1877 square-rigged iron barque, from a scrapyard in Piraeus Harbor, Greece to Galveston tobegin restoration work in 1978. By 1982, GHF staff and volunteers completed restoration and transformed thisrare, historic vessel into a floating museum that would actively sail. Today, the 1877 tall ship Elissa is one ofonly three ships of her kind in the world to still activelysail. She also serves as the Official Tall Ship of Texasand a National Historic Landmark.

ERNESTINA-MORRISSEY NEW BEDFORD, MA (1894)

As the Effie M. Morrissey, launched in 1894 in Essex, this historic schooner’s first lives were as Gloucester fisherman, Arctic explorer and WWII survey/supply between 1946 and 1965, she plied the transatlantic waters Cabo Verde’s long line of transatlantic packet ships. After by the Republic of Cabo Verde to the “people of the United repatriated in 1982, she embarked on her new life as maritime/sciences educator

NAO TRINIDAD HUELVA, SPAIN (2018)

Formerly known as the Nao Santa María, Nao Trinidad is owned by the Nao Victoria Foundation, a non-profit organization that specializes in promoting and spreading historical events through the construction of historical shipsthat are sailed throughout the world’s ports. Nao Trinidad is one of Huelva’s hallmarks, evoking the region’s ships, seamen, the seafarer’s tradition and its most universal history.

PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II

BALTIMORE, MD (1988)

Pride of Baltimore II is a topsail schooner built to the lines of an 1812-era Baltimore Clipper. She is Maryland’s working symbol of the great natural resources and spectacular beauty of the Chesapeake Bay region and a reminder of America’s rich maritime heritage. Pride of Baltimore II’s mission is to educate the public on Maryland’s maritime history, tradition and commerce opportunities.

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Photo by Melvin Carke. Design by Joe Frontel.

Satan, however, did not make the write-in list. Tampeños had some interesting suggestions in the mayoral race, p. 25.

Fair games

Photos by Kimberly DeFalco

So far, there’ve been reports of ye olde bare ass and dong popping up at the 2023 Bay Area Renaissance Festival, but there were a load of pixies, knights, lords, ladies and more ready to kick off the party in Dade City last weekend. The 2023 Bay Area Renaissance Festival runs Saturdays and Sundays through April 2, and tickets start at just under $13. See more photos via cltampa.com/slideshows.

—Ray Roa

do this

Tampa Bay's best things to do from March 16 - 23

Trashy Treasures One of the greatest garage sales in Tampa Bay history goes down again this weekend—and yes, there will be hot dogs. DFAC says the 2023 edition of its art garage sale is its biggest yet, with donations of legit art and art supplies outpacing past years in such dramatic fashion that the nonprofit has had to hold pop-up sales just to make room in storage. An online auction is happening right now, and the “Best of Trashies Party” goes down Saturday. Sunday is the free-to-attend, priced-to-sell, first-come, firstserved free for all. Saturday, March 18. $10. Dunedin Fine Arts Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. dfac.org—Ray Roa

River O’Green The waters around downtown Tampa will soon turn from brown to green. River O’Green 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 Irish-themed fest was first celebrated in 2012 when Bob Buckhorn was mayor, and is put together in conjunction with the partnership. It was set for Saturday, but was rescheduled for Friday afternoon as this page went to press. It's still free as ever. Friday, March 17. Free. 4 p.m.-10 p.m.Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N Ashley Dr., Tampa. riverogreen.com—Tyana Rodgers

Unholy Comedy An immersive night of stand-up comedy, audience tarot readings, music, oddities, and more is back at Tampa’s new Gothic themed event venue, Ashbriar Abbey, located at Alchemy & Ashes in Lutz. Expect sinful stand-up comedy along with a dip into divination as your hosts Lauren Gray and Hugh Carey lightheartedly provide audience tarot readings between comedy sets from some of Florida’s top comedians. Guests are encouraged to shop, take pictures, and meander through the magical museum of oddities of the space before and after the limited-seating show, which is 21 & up and BYOB. Saturday, March 18, 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $25-$30. Ashbriar Abbey Event Venue, 24836 SR-54, Lutz. unholycomedyshow.com—From CL events calendar

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DUNEDIN FINE ARTS CENTER

KAPHOTOGRAPHY/ADOBE

Innings Festival Before his festival even opened for the first time in Tampa, Innings founder Tim Sweetwood had plans to come back. “We can already say that we’ll be giving it a go again in ‘23,” he told CL last year. The baseball-themed, multi-genre festival returns to Tampa for the second time this weekend, with heavy hitters Imagine Dragons and Dave Matthews Band headlining Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Other bands on the lineup include Weezer, Pitbull, The Avett Brothers, Marcus Mumford, Grouplove, Japanese Breakfast, Third Eye Blind, The Breeders, The Revivalists, Faye Webster and more. Hometown boys done good, The Ries Brothers, are also on the bill. Per usual, baseball and spring training will play a big part in the Innings experience, which includes activations with stars like John Kruk, Tampa native Wade Boggs, Edwin Encarnacion, Jake Peavy and more. Saturday-Sunday, March 18-19. 1:45 p.m. gates. $110 & up. North lot at Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa. inningsfestival.com —RR

Taste of South Tampa Back for another year—its 17th year, actually— the Taste of South Tampa hosts yet another rendition of its hyper-local foodie festival. While VIP ticket holders get a few more perks, all guests will be able to sample bites from dozens of South Tampa restaurants, vendors, and small businesses. In addition to unlimited samples, there will also be access to a cozy beer garden, live entertainment, giveaways, and opportunities to win different prizes. Expect bites from Tampa hotspots like Bolay, Luv Child, Shake Shack, Sweet Soul, 7th + Grove and Outback Steakhouse, and sips from popular brands like Stella Artois, Blue Ice vodka, Planet Smoothie and Kona Brewing. Sunday, March 19. 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. $50-$100. The Tampa Garden Club, 2629 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa. @southtampataste on Facebook—Kyla Fields

Rooster’s Tale Medieval peasants Margery and Peter have their hands full keeping up the farm, especially with the village full of vile rumors about their sweet but naïve son, and with their daughter, a nun with a bad attitude and a worse glower. When Margery’s favorite rooster, Henry, unexpectedly (to say the least) and mysteriously lays an egg, the bloviating local mayor insists on putting Henry—and the egg!—on trial for consorting with the devil! Can the poor couple act fast enough to save their farm, protect their children (and Henry), and maybe make a little extra on the side?

Directed by Caroline Jett and written by Paula Fell, this play—happening at Tampa’s LAB Theater Project—explores themes of being different and cancel culture. Catch a rendition of “Rooter’s Tale,” at its last weekend running. Through Sunday, March 19. Various times. $31. LAB Theater Project, 812 E Henderson Ave., Tampa. labtheaterproject.com—From CL events calendar

Step down

USF Tampa students arrested at protest call for police chief Chris Daniel to be fired.

By Justin Garcia

In the aftermath of four arrests during a demonstration at the University of South Florida earlier this week, students are now demanding that USF’s police chief be fired. On Monday, March 6, around 25 students held a peaceful protest in the lobby of the Patel Center for Global Solutions at USF. They were outside of President Rhea Law’s office demanding that she meet with them to address attacks on diversity coming from Ron DeSantis and to talk about increasing Black student enrollment.

Video shows the demonstration turning chaotic when USF Police Chief Chris Daniel grabbed Victoria Hinckley by the arm without announcing that she was under arrest, yanked her arm, then tightened his grip as she tried to move away. After that, other students rushed in and one was arrested inside the lobby, while three more were arrested outside. Another video shows Daniel pushing a woman in the back while twisting her wrist.

The students face felony charges of assault on a police officer, along with resisting an officer without violence and disruption of an educational institution, both misdemeanors.

At a press conference last Thursday condemning the behavior of USFPD, a joint statement from those arrested was read to a crowd of supporters. The rally was held outside USF’s entrance gates, because those arrested were trespassed from the property and the students are currently on academic suspension.

“We are here today to say that we did nothing wrong,” said Gia Davila, one of the students arrested. “We were brutalized by the police for exercising our freedom of speech and right to protest and to say ‘No’ to Ron DeSantis’ racist attacks against education. We demand that the charges be dropped.”

Chrisley Carpio was an admissions worker at USF before the arrests, and she’s since been put on administrative leave.

”We demand that the charges be dropped, the academic suspension be ended, that USF President Law condemn House Bill 999 and refuse to comply with Ron DeSantis’ attack on diversity, critical race theory and higher education in general,” Carpio said. “And that police chief Chris Daniel be fired for his brutality against students exercising the right to protest.”

CL contacted USFPD and USF’s media communications department about the call for Daniels’ termination, but has not yet received a response.

USFPD sent out a press statement after the arrests and accused the students of initiating violence, but when shown video of Daniels grabbing the young woman, did not respond. The department also claimed that “Protestors

said it wouldn’t answer anymore questions and referred CL to the state attorney’s office.

SAO 13 now has a dedicated line to inquiries about the arrests at USF, where CL submitted questions about the reports, but has not yet received a response.

SAO 13 is currency led by Suzy Lopez, a state attorney handpicked by DeSantis after he uncer-

“None of this would have happened if Daniel hadn’t put his hands on a college girl who was not causing any threat to anybody’s body or property when she was demanding to meet with the President,” Shaw said.

He also said that she was grabbed without proper police procedure, which could open up a civil rights case against USFPD.

“She was illegally seized,” Shaw Jr. said. “She was seized in violation of the Fourth Amendment, so she could bring a claim against them.”

One of Davila’s teachers also defended her today in a text message to CL.

“I can attest to Gia’s character as not only a dedicated and hard-working student as an artist in our program, but as a concerned and proactive citizen,” wrote Neil Bender, Associate Professor at the School of Art & Art History. “I hope, as a university, we encourage students to be able to express their beliefs to enable change, if they decide to do so.”

Bender said that Davila’s involvement in protests to expand and protect diversity at USF is admirable, and that she shouldn’t be punished for it.

“She is an intelligent and active student, to punish her from graduating this May seems excessive, and I hope any charges against her be dropped,” Bender wrote. “I’m sure my colleagues who know Gia and have worked with her would agree.”

USF sent CL a statement from President Law. See it below.

hit police with objects, including what officers believe was a video camera and a water bottle, and threw an unidentified liquid at officers.”

But arrest reports obtained by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, don’t mention that police were hit with such material. When asked why the reports didn’t include those claims, USFPD

emoniously removed elected State Attorney Andrew Warren, in part because he pushed back against the governor’s attack on criminalizing abortion.

Tampa attorney James Michael Shaw Jr. told CL that the video clearly shows that Daniel escalated the incident by grabbing the young woman, rather than using deescalation techniques.

USF strongly supports the right to free speech. Just this week on our campuses there have been several protests and demonstrations that occurred peacefully and without incident, as is common at a public university. However, what took place on Monday afternoon at the Patel Center is not something anyone wants to see on our campuses. Using their training and university protocol, USF staff and police officers asked a protest group numerous times to move outside of the building, as they were disrupting normal business activities. When the group did not comply, police officers issued several additional warnings in an attempt to deescalate the situation. When the group again failed to comply, law enforcement tried to lead them out of the building. The group actively resisted, with some members putting their hands on police, as officers took action to remove them from the building. I believe it’s appropriate to further look into the matter, and we will review the actions of all involved.

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY BOB WHITMORE

In the wash

Hearings begin for men accused of damaging Tampa’s Columbus statue.

By Justin Garcia

On March 8, two Native American men went to a hearing in downtown Tampa to address the police department’s accusation that they committed crimes by splashing fake blood on a Christopher Columbus statue during a protest. Last October during a demonstration at Columbus Statue Park on Bayshore Boulevard, several people helped drench the figure of Columbus in a liquid, which in past years has easily washed away after protests.

Activists from the event said that the “blood” was made of food coloring and water. But the Tampa Police Department claims that it needed the fire department’s help to wash the liquid away this time.

Officers didn’t charge anyone during the protest itself. Instead, cops pulled people over afterwards for alleged traffic violations—but didn’t issue citations. The men were identified during those traffic stops, and TPD waited over a month before charging them with misdemeanor criminal mischief for damage less than $200.

Sheridan Murphy of FIA said that for Native Americans, there has never been true justice for the suffering their people endured, and that TPD’s latest charges are just another example of the centuries-long attacks on Native people.

“We stand here today with our friends who are going to face that court hearing and a court trial later, where this system will try to criminalize them because they said, ‘Don’t celebrate genocide,’” Murphy told a crowd of about 20 supporters.

LOCAL NEWS

During the pre-trial hearing, attorney Michelle Lambo—who represents one of the men that wish not to be named in this story out of concern for privacy—asked for another court date as the defense reviews evidence and considers a motion to dismiss the case.

The defense believes that the fake blood actually didn’t damage the statue. Lambo told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that after previous protests, the liquid has easily washed away in the rain.

For Natives, Columbus symbolizes pedophilia, slavery, rape, and genocide. He also fed native babies to dogs in front of horrified parents. Despite 30 years of demanding the statue’s removal, Tampa’s Indigenous community has received no response from city officials.

Outside the George E. Edgecomb courthouse last week, activists rallied in support of the Indigenous men facing the charges. Members of the Florida Indigenous Alliance (FIA) prayed, sang the American Indian Movement song and called for the charges to be dropped.

On April 5, another hearing will be held to check in on the status of the case.

TPD has vehemently defended the statue in the past. During a protest in 2020, bicycle police surrounded the statue after protesters started throwing fake blood on it, leading to a tense standoff in the rain. No one was arrested at that protest.

But in 2021, the police didn’t show up at all as people covered the statue in blood.

In 2022, the police watched the protest from a parking garage across the street, then pulled people over afterwards to obtain their identities.

FIA FIGHT: Sheridan Murphy addresses a crowd of about 20 supporters.

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Write on Alternatives for Tampa Mayor, plus a forum ahead of the April runoff.

By Ray Roa

In last week’s Tampa Municipal Election, incumbent Mayor Jane Castor ran virtually unopposed and saw 22,988 votes cast for her. The only qualified write-in, Dr. Belinda Noah, took just over 2,138 votes, according to official results. But 3,560 other Tampeños wrote-in someone else besides Noah, meaning Castor earned just 80% of the write-in vote in her reelection. What’s more is that undervotes, where voters don’t vote at all in a race, were 4,148 for the mayoral contest.

“When you combine the undervote with the write-in votes, 32.49 percent of voters did not vote for Jane Castor, even though in all reality she was unopposed,” La Gaceta pointed out in its latest “As We Heard It” column, “the percentage of voters who took the time to write in any name on their ballot rather than Castor is astonishing.”

Tampa City Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak (who’s in a runoff against former State Sen. Janet Cruz, who’s also the mother of Mayor Castor’s partner Ana Cruz).

ELECTIONS

Tampa Tiger Bay: Tampa City Council Part 3

Activists—including South Tampa warrior Stephanie Poynor and occasional Creative Loafing Tampa Bay contributor Kelly Benjamin— were among the write-ins for Tampa mayor along with business people like Crowbar owner Tom DeGeorge, and even newspaper folks like La Gaceta Publisher Patrick Manteiga, this writer, and outgoing CL staff writer Justin Garcia who received at least 19 votes.

Friday, March 17, noon. $35. Cuban Club, 2010 N Avenida Republica de Cuba, Ybor City. tigerbayclub.com

“My nutsack” and “Turd Ferguson” also earned someone’s vote along with folkloric locals like the Seminole Heights coyote and two-headed alligator, along with celebs like Al and Kelly Bundy.

Almost as astonishing is who voters actually wrote-in besides Castor or Noah.

The usual suspects (ie: Mickey Mouse) were listed in the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections’ write-in report, but there were other celebrities on the list. Taylor Swift—who’s playing three nights at Raymond James Stadium next month—got votes for mayor, and so did someone else who used to spend a lot of time at the football stadium: Tom Brady.

Other local athletes who earned votes for Tampa Mayor include Tampa Bay Rays star Wander Franco, plus the Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy and Pat Maroon who would probably put up a hell of a fight against Tampa’s rising rents. Lightning owner Jeff Vinik got votes, and so did developer Darryl Shaw and philanthropist Danny Persaud.

Ruben “Butch” Delgado, who Castor passed over for police chief in favor of since-disgraced former chief Mary O’Connor, was a popular write-in candidate, too, along with John Dingfelder, the former city councilman who made a contentious exit one year ago.

As expected, politicians including past mayoral candidates Harry Cohen and the late David Straz made appearances, but so did past mayors (Bob Buckhorn, Sandy Freeman and Dick Greco) and someone who was rumored to be thinking about running for mayor this year (Bill Carlson, Tampa City Councilman for District 4 who easily won re-election last week).

Other elected officials written-in by Tampa voters include ousted State Attorney Andrew Warren, his nemesis Ron DeSantis (also listed as “Rhonda Santis” on one ballot) and District 3

Donna at Old Seminole Heights diner Three Coins got a vote, too.

Unsurprisingly, Jesus also made the writein, but in a shocker, his nemesis, Satan (aka Lucifer), did not. So at least the mayor has that going for her.

Tampa Tiger Bay Club hosts a city council runoff election forum on Friday

There are six seats on Tampa City Council, and only two of them are spoken for after last week’s municipal election. District 4 Councilman Bill Carlson easily won reelection against McDonald’s heir Blake Casper, and Gwen Henderson eeked out a 75-vote win over District 5 incumbent Orlando Gudes who’ll serve until new councilmembers are sworn-in over the summer.

The runoff election is set for April 25, with early voting happening April 17-23. If you’re not already registered to vote, you can register for the runoff before the deadline on March 27. On Friday, candidates for the runoff in four Tampa City Council races, will make their case to a room full of the city’s most engaged politicos.

Tickets to Tampa Tiger Bay: Tampa City Council Part 3, Runoff Races on Friday, March 17 at the Cuban Club in Ybor City are still available and start at $35 for non-members. Only members are allowed to participate in the Q&A portion of the forum.

In a press release sent last week, Tampa Tiger Bay said all candidates were invited and that all except for Charlie Miranda—who faces Hoyt Prindle in the District 6 runoff—have confirmed their attendance.

District 1’s portion won’t feature incumbent Joe Citro who didn’t make the runoff

despite earning an endorsement from Mayor Jane Castor. Instead, attendees will hear from Citro’s longtime political opponent, retired air traffic controller Alan Clendenin, and Dr. Sonja P. Brookins who most recently served as Hillsborough’s Soil & Water Conservation in District 4.

Brookins is also one of two Black women to make the runoff for a citywide seat, an apparent first in Tampa politics. Brookins’ fellow historymaker is Robin Lockett, a former President of the Hillsborough County Democratic Black Caucus, Florida Rising activist, and force in during public comment on a myriad of issues in Tampa City Hall. Lockett faces Guido Maniscalco in the District 2 race where she finished with 24.8% of the vote, behind Maniscalco’s 47% but ahead of former Tampa City Councilman Mike Suarez.

District 3’s race is between incumbent Lynn Hurtak and former State Sen. Janet Cruz who saw her 13-year-run in Tallahassee abruptly come to an end when she lost to newcomer Jay Collins.

Hurtak placed first in her race last week, with 42.52% of the vote. Friday will be the first time Tiger Bay gets to see Hurtak and Cruz (who won 38.77% of the vote) since Cruz

falsely suggested that her opponent might be homophobic. Hurtak is the only city council candidate endorsed by the Hillsborough LGBTQ Democratic Caucus, and while Cruz has an endorsement from Equality Florida, the organization did not respond to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s request for comment about the senator’s injection of homophobia into the city council race.

As noted almost ad nauseam in coverage leading up to last week’s election, the 2023 vote, in many ways, is a statement on Tampa Mayor Jane Castor whose first-term was marked by the city’s rapid growth but also Department of Justice investigations, a controversial police chief who resigned in dishonor, issues over transparency, and a controversial plan for Tampa’s wastewater.

PACs connected to Castor—who ran virtually unopposed in her race—spent money sending negative mailers on proposed changes to the city’s charter, but the passage of all but one of them is largely seen as a signal of the public’s desire to keep mayoral power in check. The fact that “32.49 percent of voters did not vote for Jane Castor,” is also a sign that the mayor may not be as popular as some have suggested.

FIRST THINGS FIRST: District 1 runoff candidate Dr. Sonja Brookins made history last week.

DAVE DECKER

THURSDAY 09

A bipartisan bill would prevent public middle schools from starting before 8 a.m. and high schools from starting before 8:30 a.m. Both parties are fighting woke now, we see.

FRIDAY 10

A Florida House panel unanimously signed off on a proposal that would allow doctors to renew patients’ medical-marijuana approvals using telehealth. Just let us all get high, man.

A State Senate panel moved one step closer to allowing people to carry concealed firearms without licenses. Great, more people shooting their dicks off.

RESTAURANTS RECIPES DINING GUIDES

Shamrock & roll

Over 30 St. Patrick’s Day parties, bar crawls and specials happening in Tampa Bay.

By Kyla Fields

St. Patrick’s Day is around the corner, and Tampa Bay bars and restaurants are getting ready to dish out green beer and traditional Irish eats. From low-key bar crawls and block parties to The City of Tampa’s annual River O’Green celebration, there are dozens of St. Patrick-themed events happening in every corner of Tampa Bay. We’ve curated a list of over 30 local parties, markets, and crawls happening for St. Patrick’s Day 2023—all events are free to attend unless a ticket price is indicated.

3 Daughters Brewing This popular St. Pete brewery invites its patrons to put on their best St Patrick’s Day costumes and participate in its annual “Chase the Leprechaun Run.” Folks that make it to the finish line are rewarded with an ice-cold green beer. Wednesday, March 15. 6:30 p.m. 222 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg. 3dbrewing.com

Armature Works Live music from local Irish band MoonCoin plus dancing, food trucks, photo opportunities and lots of flowing green beer. Although this event is free to attend, you can RSVP via Eventbrite. Saturday, March 18. 1 p.m.-5 p.m. 1910 N Ola Ave., Tampa. eventbrite.com

Bar@548 Partygoers can dance to tunes from DJ Johnny while sipping on cheap drink specials and tall pints of Guinness. The bar encourages folks to wear green clothes and festive attire. Saturday, March 18. 11 a.m. 548 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. @bar548dtsp on Facebook

Bayboro Brewing This local brewery invites its beer-loving patrons to hang out in its relaxed outdoor patio and sip on popular brews, like its “New Bird” IPA and “Toasted Iron” lager. More festivities to be announced. Friday, March 17. 1 p.m. 2390 5th Ave. S, St. Petersburg. bayborobrewing.com

Corey Avenue Block Party This popular strip of St. Pete Beach is known for its massive holiday celebrations, and St. Patrick’s Day is no different. All day long, you can listen to live music from local bands like Sandy Bottom Boys, Bad Neighbors and Beach Rats, while enjoying a variety of drink specials, raffles and games from neighboring bars and restaurants. Friday, March 17. noon-11 p.m. Corey Avenue’s 300 Block, St. Pete Beach. coreyave.com

Cosmic Fish Kava Bar This local kava spot is known for its alcohol-free celebrations, and its St. Patrick’s Day market—chock full of local artists and small businesses—continues that tradition. Friday, March 17. 6 p.m. 5944 34th St. N, St. Petersburg. cosmicfishkavabar.com

Crabby Bill’s This weekend, Crabby Bill’s original Indian Rocks Beach location offers holiday-themed specials, like green beer and corned beef and cabbage. It also hosts bands, its annual “Shamrock Scavenger Hunt,” and various raffles. Friday-Sunday, March 17-19.

company hosts similar crawls in both SOHO and Ybor City. Saturday, March, 18. noon-8 p.m. $30-$65. District Tavern, 116 N 12th St., Tampa. eventbrite.com

Fenway Hotel This Dunedin hotel’s restaurant, The Hew Parlor & Chophouse, will dish out specials like Irish-inspired wagyu corned beef and potato and mulligatawny stew. Enjoy a green beer from its rooftop Hi-Fi Bar, too. Friday, March 17. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. $8-$23. 453 Edgewater Dr., Dunedin. fenwayhotel.com

specials. Friday, March 17. 3 p.m.-11 p.m. 2029 Arrowgrass Dr., Wesley Chapel. floridaavebrewing.com

11 a.m.-10 p.m. 401 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach. crabbybills.com

Crooked Thumb Brewery Music from Clearwater-based ska and reggae band The New Rulers starts at 6 p.m., plus tasty Irish eats and an exclusive Irish coffee stout beer release.

Friday, March 17. 5 p.m. 555 10th Ave S, Safety Harbor. crookedthumbbrew.com

District Tavern Tampa This bar crawl offers a welcome shot at all participating locations, access to a bottomless brunch and exclusive drink specials. The same events

Flanagan’s Irish Pub This Irish Pub is the heart of Dunedin’s annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration, which will be chock full of live music, food and drink specials, arts and crafts vendors and family-friendly fun. Admission is free, but it’s recommended to RSVP on Eventbrite. Friday, March 17. 11 a.m.-11 pm. 465 Main St., Dunedin. eventbrite.com

Florida Avenue Brewing Co. While this brewery’s sibling location in Seminole Heights gets ready to open, its Wesley Chapel beer garden hosts a holiday party full of live tunes, cold beer, specialty cocktails and Irish food

Four Green Fields Local pub-lovers rejoiced when this beloved Tampa institution re-opened at a new location last year, and Four Green Fields’ second Patrick’s Day back will definitely get you in that holiday spirit. Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones and Cormac McGuinness provide Irish tunes while you sip on some red ales. Thursday, March 16. 7 p.m. 802 N 12th St., Tampa. fourgreenfields.com

The Garage A loaded drag performance hosted by the “Queen of Shamrocks” Kori Stevens starts at 10:30 p.m. and features other local queens like Stephanie Stuart, Lady Janet, Cleo Patra and Pheyonce Montrese. Friday, March 17. 8 p.m. 2729 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. shorelinedjs.com

Hurricane Eddie’s This beachside dive wants you to wear green to its holiday party, which boasts live music all day-long and various booze specials. Friday, March 17. 10 a.m. 5413 Shore Blvd. S, Gulfport. @hurricaneeddiesgulfport Facebook

Jacks London Grill House-cured corned beef, Irish lamb and beef stew and freshly-baked soda bread are the stars of this restaurant’s holiday offerings. Friday, March 17. noon. 1050 62nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. jackslondongrill.com

James Joyce Bar Crawl This pub hosts a two-day bar crawl this weekend, which features some of Ybor City’s favorite bars, like Coyote Ugly, Spookeasy Lounge and Rock Brothers Brewing. More than 1,000 folks are expected to attend, so grab your ticket now. Friday, March 17-Saturday, March 18. 4 p.m.-12 a.m. $20-$25. 1724 E 8th Ave., Ybor City. crawlwith.us

Krate at The Grove The Rich Sheldon Band provides live tunes at this family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day event. Friday, March 17. p.m. 6105 Wesley Grove Blvd., Wesley Chapel. krateatthegrove.com

Lost & Found $7 Jameson, Guinness, and craft cocktail specials, plus bumpin’ tunes from DJ Danny Vintage will occupy this laid back, 70’s theme bar. Friday, March 17. 5 p.m. Free. 2420 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. lostandfoundstpete.com

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HEY, BAYBORO: St. Pete’s Bayboro Brewing Co. goes green this weekend.

CITYOFSTPETE/FLICKR

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Lucky Dill Deli Irish musicians take the stage at Lucky Dill’s multi-day St. Patrick’s Day parties, which also feature whiskey tastings and a full spread of traditional foods on its patio and outdoor “party tents.” Apparently, this Palm Harbor restaurant will dish out 10,000 pounds of corned beef and cabbage during this year’s celebration. Now through-Friday, March 17. 10 a.m. 33180 US Hwy-19 N, Palm Harbor. luckydilldeli.com

MacDinton’s Irish Pub Tampa radio station Hot 101.5-FM takes over this South Tampa hotspot this week, hosting various bar-friendly games and giveaways. Guests can win Busch Gardens tickets, gift cards and more out of its “pot of gold.”

Thursday,-Saturday March 16-18. 3 p.m. 405 S Howard Ave., Tampa. Macdintons.com

The North End Tap House This Gulfport favorite’s open mic jam will complement its spread of traditional Irish Eats and cold beer. Specials include Irish beef and Guinness stew, colcannon (aka traditional mashed potato with cabbage and bacon) and Scotch eggs. RSVPs are encouraged Friday, March 17. 5 p.m.-12 a.m. 2908 1/2 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport. eventbrite.com

O’Tooles Irish Pub For the 17th year in a row, this Brandon-based pub hosts its annual St. Patrick’s day party full of traditional Irish eats, cold beer, karaoke, and Celtic music from local band North Of Argyll. Friday, March 17. 11 a.m.-1 a.m.1215 W Brandon Blvd., Brandon. @otoolesirish on Facebook

Paddy Fest St. Pete Arguably one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in all of Tampa Bay, this party happens this Friday and features cultural performances,Irish food, festivities and of course, booze. Owners of downtown’s Mary Margaret’s Irish Pub, Pete Boland and Kat Van Dora, organized this festival happening at Williams Park, caddy corner from their restaurant. Friday, March 17. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 350 2nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. paddyfeststpete.com

Park & Rec DTSP and The Avenue’s block party Hunger Thirst restaurant group hosts a massive holiday party at its two downtown bars. Bagpipe jams, DJ’s, photo booths, drink specials and booze-friendly games will be spread out between both bars. You can also find the same drink specials—like $8 Car Bombs— at its other downtown St. Pete bar, No Vacancy. Friday, March 17. noon. 330 1st Ave. S, St Petersburg. youthhasnoage.com

River O’Green Fest The City of Tampa’s annual St. Patrick’s Day event returns to Curtis Hixon Park this weekend, and the river’s bright green color will certainly be the star of the show. But family-friendly activities, live music and food trucks will occupy the waterfront park, too. Friday, March 17. 4 p.m. 600 N Ashley Dr., Tampa. riverogreen.com

Salty Nun This St. Pete bar and restaurant is hosting a holiday event for a great cause. Its dance fundraiser—featuring performances by Ceazia Giovanni Kreshe, James Cass, and Fatalya—will

benefit Come Out St. Pete, a local LGBTQ+ nonprofit. Sunday, March 19. 4 p.m.-6 p.m. 2501 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. saltynun.com

Salty Shamrock Guests can expect a plethora of live Irish music, corned beef and cabbage and green beer from this free, three-day festival. A $10 cover gets you access to all three days of partying. Friday-Sunday, March 17-19. 11 a.m. 6186 N US Highway 41, Apollo Beach. @ saltyshamrockfl on Facebook

Screen Door Microcinema

This Ybor City indie theater hosts two screenings of the classic Irish Tale “The Boondock Saints.” This 1999 film follows two Irish-Catholic brothers bring a ”bloody brand of vigilante justice” to the streets of Boston. Thursday-Friday, March 16-17. 7 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. $8. Kress Collective, 1624 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. eventbrite.com

of the cheapest (and stiffest) drink specials in The Burg’—which include $7 car bombs, $5 Jameson Green tea shots and $4 green beers. Participating bars include The Avenue, Park & Rec Where’s Jubes, Pour Judgement, One Night Stand and Yard of Ale. Live music and other festivities will ensue. Friday, March 17. 4 p.m. $27.17-$39.20. Park & Rec, 100 4th St. S, St. Petersburg. eventbrite.com

DINING GUIDE

St. Pete Bar Crawl This massive weekend party will definitely get you access to some

Troubled Waters Brewing

Riding off the high of its fourth anniversary party, this Safety Harbor brewery hosts a St. Patrick’s Day celebration featuring local rocker Hard Drawn. Friday, March 17. 6 p.m.-10 p.m. 670 Main St., Safety Harbor. troubledwatersbeer.com

Water Street Tampa Downtown Tampa’s hottest district hosts a family-friendly holiday celebration with leprechaun face painting for the kiddos, “Luck of the Irish” flavored ice cream from Chill Bros, live music and more. Friday,

March 17. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Water St., Tampa. waterstreettampa.com

World of Beer Westchase Pints of Guinness and Irish whiskey will flow during this weekendlong party, complete with live music and tasty bar grub. Friday, March 17-Sunday, March 19. noon. 9524 W Linebaugh Ave., Tampa. worldofbeer.com

Yacht Starship Spend your holiday gliding across Tampa Bay on Yacht Starship’s lunch or dinner cruises. Both experiences are equipped with expected Irish fixins’, DJ entertainment and tasty waterfront views. Friday, March 17. noon & 7 p.m. $54.95 –$129.95. 603 Channelside Dr., Tampa. yachtstarship.com

Zoie’s This newly-opened restaurant and performance space hosts a holiday-themed version of its Dine N’ Drag event this weekend. Reservations for its two shows are highly encouraged. Friday, March 17. 6:30 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. Cost of food & drink. 2245 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. zoiesfl.com

WINED & BRINED: Lucky Dill Deli boasts Irish bands and food specials all week long.

LUCKY DILL DELI FACEBOOK

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Fast times

Sung Kang is coming to Tampa’s Gasparilla International Film Festival.

By Ray Roa

Gasparilla International Film Festival (GIFF) has announced plans for its three-day celebration of movie-making, and they include a ride with a “Fast & Furious” star.

Sung Kang brought the character Han Lue from “Better Luck Tomorrow” to “Tokyo Drift,” then three more “Fast” films plus the franchise’s “Los Banderos” short. He is in Tampa with the director’s hat on to present the Florida premiere of his film “Shaky Shivers.” A press release says Kang will be joined by producer Bryan Yang, plus cast members Brooke Markham and James Bellinger, for a post film discussion.

parties, a high school film competition and appearances from more than 50 filmmakers from around the world. Venues include the Tampa Theatre, AMC Westshore, the University of Tampa and more.

FESTIVALS

To kickoff the festival on opening night, March 23, director Michelle Danner will present the Florida premiere of “Miranda’s Victim,” based around the creation of Miranda Rights, at Tampa Theatre on Thursday, March 23.

Gasparilla International Film Festival

Next Thursday-Sunday, March 23-23. Various venues. gasparillafilmfestival.com

Gasparilla International Film Festival runs March 23-26 in various venues throughout Tampa, and all-film screening passes start at $120. Tickets for single screenings start at just over $12.

All told, GIFF 2023 includes 23 feature films, 50 shorts, five educational panels, four

GIFF’s closing film is also at Tampa Theatre on March 26 for the state premiere of “Blackberry,” the Cary Elwes-starring saga about the Canadian handheld mobile device that changed our texting habits forever.

Other highlights include Lynn Marvin Dingfelder’s La Gaceta Documentary (Sunday, March 26 at AMC Westshore at 4 p.m.) and events featuring local up and coming filmmakers.

A full schedule and more information is available via gasparillafilmfestival.com.

The 2023 Bay Area Renaissance Festival is now open in Dade City

The Renaissance Festival celebrates a whopping 45 years in business and two years since it moved to a new home at the Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City. Running weekends through April 2, the Renaissance Festival has everything you could want to celebrate the end of the Middle Ages and the several hundred year period of cultural rebirth.

The whole festival is themed like a 16th century European village, with 15 stages to see musicians, magicians, jugglers and jousting as well as more than 100 artisans in the market and modern fair food offerings.

Yes, there is roasted street corn and turkey legs.

Perhaps the most exciting entertainment at the festival are the jousting tournaments, meet and greets with the Trident Tails mermaids and the various bards and jesters around the grounds. The themed weekends also include limited time experiences and entertainment, like Shamrocks & Shenanigans (March 18-19) and the High Seas Adventure Bon Voyage (April 1-2).

Like any good fair or theme park, the Renaissance Festival has games and attractions:

axe and knife throwing, a castle-themed escape room, a rock wall, a place to toss throwing stars, pony rides, elephant rides and chances to throw tomatoes at some poor actor in the stocks.

Tickets to the Bay Area Renaissance Festival in Dade City are $19.95 for adults online and $23.95 at the gate. There are discounted tickets for seniors (65+) and children ages 5-12. Parking is free.

—Chelsea Zukowski

St. Pete Pier’s first ever roller rink opened last weekend and runs through April 9 Grab your skates, and your bellbottoms, because the St. Pete Pier’s first ever Rockin Roller Rink is in town. The rink’s soft opening happened last Thursday, March 9. Tickets range from $13-20 depending on the day and time. Each ticket purchased is good for up to 75 minutes of skating time.

Besides a 6,000 square-foot rink, guests can expect D’s, food, drinks and even a disco ball. You can bring your own skates or rent a pair, but the admission price is the same. Located at Pier Plaza, which is located next to the tilted lawn and the splash pad, the rink runs until April 9.

If just skating in circles isn’t enough for you, check for the rink’s themed skate nights, such as TikTok Tuesdays, Britney night, Pride night, and a ‘90s night.—Tyana

Rodgers

THURSDAY, MARCH 23

BILLY COLLINS & BOB MORRIS: IN CONVERSATION

SATURDAY, MARCH 25

WHY WE SING: BOB MORRIS & JON ARTERTON

SUNDAY, MARCH 26

OFFICE SPACE: FLORIAN IDENBURG & AARON BETSKY

SATURDAY, APRIL 1

ART IS LIFE: JERRY SALTZ

REVIEWS PROFILES MUSIC WEEK

Fantastic voyage

DJ Spaceship’s influence expanded from West Tampa to across the entire Bay area.

By Kate Oberdorfer

Every Monday morning, a DJ called Spaceship drives Tampa Bay through morning traffic. He tells stories with his turntable, mixing a style that incorporates R&B, hip-hop, disco, salsa, merengue and always, Jimi Hendrix. In August 2022, WMNF made DJ Spaceship the first Black morning show host in the station’s 43-year history.

“Initially, it ruffled some feathers,” Spaceship said about his diverse playlist which includes a lot of flavor from across the taste spectrum. “But the team entrusted me and you know, it’s the rule of 10, the show will be for some and not for some.”

But Spaceship—who’s on the air at 88.5-FM from 6 a.m.-9 a.m.—has proved that the show is definitely for more than some. His listeners have become so tuned into the show and style, that when they don’t get their Jimi Hendrix fix, they notify the station to say they’ve been cheated. Spaceship calls this group of listeners the “Hendrix Mafia” and adds that the same happens when he neglects to play a salsa tune as part of “Adobo in the Morning.”

DJ Spaceship aka Greg Bowers, 39, is the second oldest of five children. He grew up in a home ringing with Betty Wright, Marvin Gaye, Gerald Levert, Mary J. Blige, George Benson, The Bee Gees and a whole lot of gospel. He graduated from Tampa’s Thomas Jefferson High School, and eventually tapped his friend Tone Kapone to start a podcast called “Powerline Radio.”

LOCAL MUSIC

DJ Spaceship on WMNF Mondays, 6 a.m.-9 a.m. 88.5-FM or wmnf.org

Spaceship and Tone met while Spaceship was getting his start as a DJ, playing parties for friends. Their mutual love of music and desire to influence the Tampa music scene was what united them and brought flavor to each and every episode of “Powerline Radio.” The show was all about the homegrown music, and Spaceship and Tone invited local musicians to talk about their music and the Tampa scene. When the podcast grew, they moved their recording sessions from Tone’s house to Flohio studios, a move that eventually led them both to host WMNF’s “Saturday Night Shutdown,” and then “Waves of the Bay,” which Kapone now hosts by himself.

The art of DJing, Spaceship says, is the ability to connect and blend genres of music in order to bring people together. Spaceship first discovered this art when he was a kid growing up in West Tampa, listening to Ron “JoMama Johnson” Shepard on the radio. “JoMama Johnson took you on a ride,” Spaceship said. “And he controlled the emotions of the people. If you were having a bad day, you listen to JoMama Johnson then all of a sudden you’re having a good day.”

Spaceship learned a lot from listening to JoMama Johnson, and admired his quick way with words. He loved how Johnson used language, with smooth phrases like “girly girl” and “doggy dog”. Spaceship also watched DJs on MTV and Rap City and tried to imitate their styles. He began “earning his keep” carrying crates for a DJ called Nokk1 from New Jersey and watched from the sidelines as Nokk1 dominated the crowd, feeling energy surge through his body. One day he knew he would get the chance.

Spaceship loved the “Shutdown.” He got the chance to include local Tampa musicians to his more mainstream mixes, and loved the back and forth and call and response with listeners. The only downside was that Spaceship was missing chances to DJ at clubs in that prime Saturday night slot.

When an operations assistant position opened up at WMNF, Spaceship applied, thinking that he could train on the equipment, and learn to produce and record. Two months after accepting the back office position, the station knighted Spaceship as its first Black morning show host.

Spaceship thinks of his morning mixes like a locomotive train, with each car carrying its weight and pushing the story forward. He strives to stay true to the narrative the entire way through, a narrative that is largely dependent on what he is feeling in the moment.

“I’m a feels type person,” he said. “I listen to the lyrics and the message and both of these have to bleed into the next song.” He adds that

there’s a real science to this because you don’t want to cut the song off in the middle and risk the chance of your listener missing the message. Spaceship tends to cut the songs at the chorus and admits he puts a real emphasis on the first track and that caboose that closes the show. “That’s when they really get the message and think ‘Ah, I see what he did.”

When he’s not on the morning show, DJ Spaceshipspins all over the country. He’s been to New Orleans and Miami and is hoping to make it up to New York City. Locally though, on the weekends, he holds down residencies at Hefe and Status on West Tampa’s Armenia

Avenue corridor and at South Tampa’s Casa de Montecristo every Friday. He uses his downtime to research new musicians on YouTube and Google, and listens to local artists at the Hooch and Hive, Crowbar and Pegasus.

“Music has always been my thing,” Spaceship said. “And I’m just excited to have this opportunity.”

If DJ Spaceship could tell his own story with a turntable, he would start with James Brown’s, “Say It Loud.” First, there’s the high energy, then there’s the beat, then there’s the lyrics. “Those lyrics tell you who I am,” Spaceship said. “I’m Black and I’m proud.”

SAY IT LOUD: DJ Spaceship is WMNF 88.5-FM’s first Black morning show host.

“I’m just excited to have this opportunity.”

By Josh Bradley & Ray Roa C CL Recommends

THU 16

Campground23 After a successful weekend on both sides of the Bay for its inaugural outing last year, CampGround new music festival is back to do it again, with plans to take over Ybor City’s newest arts hub. Built around living composers’ cutting-edge new sounds—CL’s Eric Snider described it as boundlessly textured almost always instrumental music that is often, “loosely speaking, avant-garde in nature”— Campground23 (stylized “CAMP,” meaning Contemporary Art Music Project) features a three-day program with more than two dozen composers plus performers. They’ll kick things off at Tempus Projects inside Ybor’s new Kress Collective before spending two days at The Factory in St. Pete ahead of a return to Tampa for Saturday’s festival close. There’s even a free admission day on Friday. More information and venue details are at contemporaryartmusicproject.org

Goalkeeper w/Outatime/City Mouse/ Caught Fire There are some bands that you wish you would’ve met sooner, but there’s a chance to get in on the ground floor with Philadelphia pop-punk trio Goalkeeper as it continues supporting a debut full-length released last fall. Chock full of big instrumentals, melody for days and hooks galore, the band is perfect for fans of the kind of anthemic punk that was a staple of the Warped Tour lineup in the early-2000s. Orlando band Outatime! (not ashamed to cover Machine Gun Kelly) opens alongside Miski Dee’s City Mouse project and St. Pete quartet Caught Fire. (Hooch and Hive, Tampa)

Jariah Higgins w/Shevonne/Ashenelle

When local singer-songwriter Jariah Higgins hits the stage, he gives off the vibes of Ed Sheeran before he went mainstream, using loop techniques and leaning heavily on his acoustic guitar, with a bass-heavy band from time to time. He lived in Nashville for a time, and is a regular on BOTB-winning radio station 102.5 The Bone. (Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa)

Reggae Rise Up: 311 w/Rebelution/ Damian Jr. Gong Marley/Wiz Khalifa/ Dispatch/Sublime with Rome/Koffee/ Dirty Heads/Knex/Dry Reef/Arise Roots/Alborosie/more Reggae Rise Up has grown into a downtown St. Petersburg staple and it’s back with its 2023 lineup. 311, Dispatch, Rebelution, Sublime with Rome, Damian Marley, Koffee, Wiz Khalifa and Dirty Heads are headliners for the four-day festival. More than two dozen acts—including Iya Terra, Matisyahu, Collie Buddz, J Boog, Pepper and The Movement—make up the rest of the lineup. Hit some afterparty shows, if you know what’s good for you. (Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg)

FRI 17

Charlie (album release) w/Mtvh1n1/ Flowers For Emily/Ortrotasce Charles Irwin first trotted out a new lineup about a year ago, and this weekend the Tampa outfit completes its metamorphosis into an entirely different band. Charlie’s new record, Precious Meta l, is where the trio’s new sound—at its peak, more angular, and second-generation midwestern emo a la Cap’n Jazz—gets to shine for 28 minutes as the 10 tracks fly by, begging for another listen. It’s one of the best releases of this relatively young new year, and Charlie will have friends in Tampa art-pop band Mtvh1n1, Orlando grunge outfit Flowers For Emily, and St. Pete king of analog dancefloor-ready EBM Ortrotasce to help bring it into the world.

(American Legion Seminole Post 111, Tampa)

Crash Mitchell w/Navin Ave./Former Contenders Because of his warmth, every Crash Mitchell gig feels like a family affair, and for the holiday, the Tampa songwriter wants to honor his dad, Paddy, who loved to play live music with his friends. Expect some harmonica-blowin’ for pops, plus sets from Americana band Navin Ave. and hard-nosed blue-collar rock from Former Contenders.

(Hooch and Hive, Tampa)

Ellis Paul Boston-based singer-songwriter

Ellis Paul is currently marking his 30th year as a singer-songwriter with a career retrospective tour, as well as a new album 55 The record is described as the 58-year-old checking in on who he really is, and according to a bio written by Phil Hoffmann, it’s also “checking the pulse of an exhausted, post-COVID nation in the process, and further refines his storytelling craft.” He might even stop by a classroom to give a masterclass to some music kids before his show in St. Pete on Friday night. And to think that he could have been a potato farmer. (Craftsman House, St. Petersburg)

Knuckle Puck w/Real Friends/Bearings

Chicago pop-punk outfit Knuckle Puck managed to stop in Tampa Bay twice last year. There isn’t any new music to promote this time around, but once its current run of U.S. shows winds down, the band behind “Pretense” is set to perform at the second-ever installment of When We Were Young this fall, along with Green Day and blink-182. (Orpheum, Tampa)

Martin Sexton If you’ve seen the clipshow episode of “Scrubs” from 2007, you’ll probably recall Martin Sexton’s “Diner” playing during the dancing compilation. Not that he’ll have many (if any at all) Braff-Faison bromance stories to tell, but Sexton—who has never been to Clearwater specifically— did work with John Mayer on his 2021 EP, 20/20 Vision . We all know that Mayer’s a bit of an odd duck, so who knows what went down during their time recording together? (Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater)

Robert Jon & The Wreck Blues-rock outfit Robert Jon & The Wreck dropped a foursong digital EP, One Of A Kind , song by song, and just released the fourth and final track a few days ago. We won’t be surprised if new stuff gets played when Jon and company kick off a southern U.S. run of shows in the most intimate corner of Ruth Eckerd Hall this St. Patty’s Day. Longtime keyboardist Steve Maggiora is no longer with the band though—having joined the new incarnation of Toto—so expect either a new keyboardist, or just an empty space at the Murray. (Murray Theatre at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)

Capra w/Thirst/Star Of Khorala/ Illuminate Me//Dead Mirrors The Legion in Seminole Heights kicks off the weekend

Charlie

with some indie-rock on Friday, but this show stands to be much, much heavier. Headlined by Louisiana hardcore behemoth Capra, this tour also includes West Palm metalcore band Thirst, post-skramz “Conan the Barbarian”-inspired band Star of Khorala, plus two Tampa's Illuminate Me and scene staple Dead Mirrors. (American Legion Seminole Post 111, Tampa)

Death To All w/Suffocation/Nukem

Metalheads still miss Altamonte Springs metal outfit Death like crazy, but with Chuck Schuldiner—the band’s most constant member, and main creative force—dead for over 20 years, the band is basically nothing without him. But a la Dead & Co., select former members of the original band still perform together under the Death To All moniker, and this year, they’re touring to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Individual Thought Patterns , of which only a handful of songs are performed at all. Oddly enough, it’s been almost a decade since Death To All stopped in Tampa Bay, so the closest the band has to a homecoming show on this tour—with a little help from Suffocation and Nukem—is not one to miss. (Orpheum, Tampa)

Valspar Championship: Darius

continued from page 49

MON 20

97X Secret Sessions: David Shaw and Zack Feinberg The radio station that has been bringing us Next Big Thing for most of the century has been hyping up an acoustic, mystery installment of its “Secret Sessions” series, set to take place at the Floridian Social. Monday afternoon, Sam Blowers revealed that David Shaw and Zack Feinberg of The Revivalists—performing at Innings Fest the day before—would be the ones on the bill. Tickets to this rare intimate event are free, but must be acquired at one of six participating Achieva Credit Union ticket drop locations at very specific times this week only. The first 50 people who show up to each location do score a pair of tickets, though. See a full list of locations and ticket drop times at 97xonline.com. (Floridian Social, St. Petersburg)

WED 22

Rucker

For the first time, Rucker is headlining Tampa Bay’s big PGA golf tournament, where he’ll play a full show on Innisbrook’ Osprey Driving Range after play wraps on Saturday at approximately 6:30 p.m. The concert is free for anyone who already has a ticket to the tournament (access to tournament ground on Saturday is $70). Rucker is no stranger to Tampa Bay, where Rock Brothers Brewing once created a signature beer in honor of his ‘90 rock band. Two years ago, he headlined downtown Tampa’s Pig Jig. (Copperhead Course at Innisbrook, Palm Harbor)

SUN 19

Tampa Jazz Club: LaRue Nickelson’s Centennial Tribute to Wes Montgomery

Despite his many releases, jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery had a relatively short recording career. Famous for the way he plucked with the side of thumb, Montgomery, who died at 45 years old, lived in the hard and post-bob worlds, but had a heavy influence on soul jazz, fusion and smooth jazz, too. There’s no other guitarist in Tampa Bay better suited to take on the chordal, melodic, and rhythmic influence Montgomery had, than LaRue Nickelson who headlines this matinee. Nickelson is part of a quartet that includes pianist Per Danielsson, bassist Joe Porter, and drummer Walt Hubbard. (Mainstage Theatre at Hillsborough Community College, Ybor City)

Zach Quinn w/Miski Dee Rodriguez/ Dave Decker Pears plays punk that feels like someone just snapped your neck in half. It’ll be interesting to see how Zach Quinn, vocalist for the New Orleans band, translates that experience in a solo context when he plays this showcase where City Mouse’s Miski Dee Rodriguez supports alongside Tampa punk lifer (and Creative Loafing Tampa Bay contributing photographer) Dave Decker open the show. (The Nest at St. Pete Brewing Co., St. Petersburg)

Sam E Hues In his first show since an album release at Ybor City’s Centro Asturiano, Sam E Hues is moving from one of the largest venues he’s played to one of the smallest (and swankiest, too). At Asturiano, the Tampa rapper utilized every inch of the gigantic stage, and he’ll have to do the same at this limited-seating affair since he’s promised to bring a nine-piece band that includes members of Katara (harpist Seth Lynn, drummer Natalie Depergola), saxophonist Chooty B, Speakeasy bassist Brendon Porter, Walter Graham on guitar, a two-piece string section featuring violin and cello, plus backup vocalists. The Edition’s Director of Culture & Entertainment, Ryan Brown, has been tasked with bringing the best of Tampa to the hotel’s guests and residents, and he’s hitting his mark with this show. (Arts Room at Tampa Edition, Tampa)

THU 23

Blood Brothers After producing albums for Samantha Fish, Jimmy Carpenter, and Jeremiah Johnson, Mike Zito just had his—and best friend Albert Castiglia’s—latest album Blood Brothers produced by Joe Bonamassa. The Castiglia-penned “A Thousand Heartaches,” off of the new record, sounds almost like an Eagles song with less harmony in the lead vocals, and features Bonamassa stepping up to shred, rather than stick to only working behind the board. The two Blues Music Award winners just spent the last week on a cruise, and they’re about to perform right down the street from Gigglewaters in Safety Harbor, continuing a run of shows going until June. (Safety Harbor Art and Music Center, Safety Harbor)

Lissie Without a doubt, Elisabeth Corrin Maurus is one of the most undersung forces in the American songwriter scene. The 40-year-old better known as Lissie has been at it for a decade-and-a-half, and made her debut via Nettwerk in 2007 before breaking out with her 2009 Fat Possum EP Why You Runnin’ where she expanded on a penchant for crafting dusty folk-rock by mixing in even more sepia-toned roots influences along with hints of poppier influences like Britney

Spears plus old school favorites like Patsy Cline. While Lissie is mega-popular in the U.K., catching her inside intimate spaces like The Attic is a treat for stateside fans. (The Attic at Rock Brothers Brewing, Ybor City)

Michael Bolton Bolton’s hair ain’t what it used to be, but 70-year-old Mr. “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You?” can still hit the same high notes he could some 30 years ago. Let your mom know, and if you’re planning to make Thursday night a late one, make sure to brush up on those slot machine skills, because the last time Bolton was in town, he just barely cracked the 70-minute mark. (Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa)

Spring Beer Jam: Punkadelic w/ Joe Marcinek/Steve Molitz/Jon Ditty/ Row Jomah/Zero Context/Brain Emoji/ more It’s no secret that Dunedin Brewery is a stronghold of the Pinellas music scene,

and next weekend it lines up a full slate of bands—and superjams—across two stages for its annual Spring Beer Jam. Hip-hop, jazz, punk and jam music will all get play, often within the same breath. And the best part is all of it’s free to attend (bring money for beer, obviously). (Dunedin Brewery, Dunedin)

Steve Miller Band w/Greg Billings Band I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: Steve Miller Band is one of—if not, the best— nostalgia acts you’ll ever see live. Most of the early, psychedelic material featuring Boz Scaggs goes unacknowledged these days, but if the Gangster of Love’s sold-out stop at Ruth Eckerd Hall is anything like his show at the Hard Rock last year, Tampeños are in for a nostalgic treat that shines a light on an almost-80-year-old (!) who can still shred and belt out lyrics like there’s no tomorrow, without the aid of flashy clip shows behind him. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)

Sam E Hues

IVANA CAJINA

TICKETMASTER

Time to learn how to put mascara on again because the prince of England’s gloomy post-punk scene is coming to Tampa this summer as part of The Cure’s first North American tour in seven years.

Tickets to see Robert Smith and The Cure play Amalie Arena in Tampa on Thursday, June 29 go on sale Friday, March 17 at 10 a.m. and start at just $21.25. That low ticket price is no typo either.

Per usual until the feds breakup the Live Nation-Ticketmaster relationship, registration with Verified Fan will be required to access tickets. Online, the band said that,

The Beatles: A 60th Anniversary Tribute feat. Black Valley Moon/Blues

Walk/Cottondale Swamp/The Crabgrass

Cowboys/Deb Ruby/Ernestine Black/ JCT 27/Mark Carufel/Rebekah Pulley and The Reluctant Prophets/more Saturday, March 25. 6 p.m. $20. Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa

Ken Block and Drew Copeland Friday, March 24. 7:30 p.m. $55. Safety Harbor Art and Music Center, Safety Harbor

Mustard Service w/Better Than This/ Speak Easy Thursday, April 11. 7 p.m. $15. Crowbar, Tampa.

Phil Wickham w/Brandon Lake Thursday, Aug. 10. 7:30 p.m. $21.25 & up. Amalie Arena, Tampa

“We have priced tickets to benefit fans and our efforts to block scalpers and limited inflated resale prices are being supported by our ticketing partners.”

What’s more is the The Cure could have a new album in tow. Smith has been teasing the record, which he initially thought would see release last fall. Twilight Sad opens for The Cure in Tampa, and the only other Florida show on the run is the official tourcloser in Miami on July 1.

See Josh Bradley’s latest roundup of new concerts coming to Tampa Bay below.—Ray Roa

Tragic Impulse and Red Lokust w/ Missfit Toys Saturday, Aug. 19. 8 p.m. $15. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

Aurelio Voltaire Friday, Aug. 25. 8 p.m. $15. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

Wu-Tang Clan w/Nas Sunday, Sept. 24. 11 a.m. $130. Hard Rock Event Center Pool at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa

Ashnikko Thursday, Oct. 5. 7 p.m. Prices TBA. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Benise Friday, Oct. 13. 7:30 p.m. $36 & up. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg

Jelly Roll w/Chase Rice/Struggle

Jennings/Josh Adam Meyers Saturday, Oct. 14. 7 p.m. $39.75 & up. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

MAY 10, 2023

JUNE 6, 2023

RUEL Ritz Ybor

APRIL 3

JXDN

Jannus Live

APRIL 10

COLD

The Orpheum

APRIL 12

WAGE WAR

Jannus Live

APRIL 13

TIM BARRY

The Crowbar

APRIL 18

MAC AYRES

Jannus Live

MAY 6

$NOT

OCT. 5, 2023 ASHNIKKO Jannus Live

MAY 10

THE GASLIGHT

ANTHEM

Jannus Live

MAY 19

AVATAR

Jannus Live

MAY 20

JAZZ IS DEAD

Jannus Live

JUNE 3

WATERPARKS

Jannus Live

JUNE 15

MEN I TRUST

Jannus Live

DECEMBER 13

STEPHEN SANCHEZ

The Orpheum

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

on sale NOW! tix&info: www dot aestheticized dot com

Quickies

By Dan Savage

You suggested stocking up on abortion pills NOW for friends in the future because they could wind up being banned. I naively thought a ban would never happen. Now, as you probably know, it’s on the verge of being banned nationwide any day due to the lawsuit in Texas. It looks like I’d need to go to a doctor to get them and I don’t want to have to lie about needing them. Is there any other way to get them? Go to PlanCPills.org!

I look OK, I make good money, I have my own place, and I’m nice. But no one wants me, and no one stays, because I’m autistic. Everyone says, “Just get out there,” but it doesn’t work. I want a real relationship, but I would settle for an escort. But I don’t want to get robbed or killed. Everyone says, “Just get out there,” but it doesn’t work. I can’t give explicit advice about finding escorts— it’s a legal gray area—but I can suggest that you follow sex workers’ rights advocates on Twitter, many of whom are sex workers themselves. Most of the women sex workers I know—personally, not professionally— have experience working with autistic clients. And while locating an experienced sex worker you would like to see in person will require some time and effort, the energy you’re currently expending being miserable would be better spent on this search. There are also dating sites for autistic adults like Hiki (hikiapp.com) that you might want to check out.

them know I received a diagnosis that might explain some of our problems? I’m still on friendly(ish) terms with most of them. A status update posted to Facebook and/or a story posted to Instagram—assuming you’re on social media and/or want to be out about your diagnosis—would probably reach most of your friends and exes. If that’s too public, I don’t see why you couldn’t just send a note to the friends and exes with whom you’re on friendly(ish) terms, particularly the ones who suggested you might be on the spectrum.

I have seen videos of guys getting fisted. Some of these guys take it all the way to the elbow. How the heck is this even possible?!? I mean they have to be touching their lungs or heart! Even done carefully, how can this be safe and not do permanent damage? “Some guys’ insides are just made differently,” said CagedJock, a gay male porn star who is often elbow-deep in his costars. “I once fisted this boy—he was short, only 5’5”—and I basically just slid in up my elbow. He was gifted anatomically. But I have also fisted 6’2” guys without getting past my wrist. So, it’s not the height that gets you to past the elbow.

SAVAGE LOVE

What’s the best way as GAYS to get laid at the gym? No one gets laid at the gym—or through the gym—without going to the gym. As a very problematic person once said, 80% of success in life is just showing up. And here’s a pro-tip: pre-smartphones and hookup apps, GAYS would cruise each other while they lifted weights, offer to spot each other, and then follow each other into locker rooms to mess around—discreetly, of course, so as not to panic STRAIGHTS and/or annoy GAYS who don’t mess around at the gym. These days guys open Grindr at the gym and send hole pics to guys sitting on the machine next to them.

I’m a 43-year-old cis straight man. I’m going to see my doctor soon and I plan to ask him about testing for autism spectrum disorder, because more than half of my girlfriends and a few platonic friends have asked me if I might be on the spectrum. I don’t think a diagnosis will change my life, other than reframing a lot of confusing (to me) “breakups” with friends and girlfriends over the years.Any advice on whether or how I should contact previous friends and girlfriends to let

It’s like people in the circus—ordinary people just can’t do that. And it’s safe as long as you’re doing it right. I have been fisting since 2015 and I’ve bottomed since 2004. It’s about knowing how the body works, using common sense, learning how to read the body language of the receiver, and lots of communication.” Follow CagedJock on Twitter and Instagram @CagedJock.

How do you use a dental dam effectively? You remove the dental dam from its packaging, you place the packaging in the appropriate recycling bin, and then you carefully position the dental over the nearest trash can. You release the dental dam, you let it flutter into the trash can, and then you go to MyLorals.com and order yourself some of their FDA-cleared, ultra-sheer underpants designed for cunnilingus.

How can a bottom in his 50s find a dang top? Ageism sucks! I’m always a little suspicious when a guy in his 50s—and that’s my demo—starts to complain about ageism in the gay community…. because I’ve heard from too many middle-aged gay guys whose complaints about “ageism” boiled down to, “Guys in their 20s and 30s don’t wanna fuck me, and I don’t wanna fuck guys my own age or older.” It may not be as easy for a guy in his 50s to find dick, but it’s not impossible, and it’s certainly not as hard as it was back when only guys in their 20s were considered hot. There are lots of guys who are into hot daddies

these days, and while a lot of those guys are bottoms, they aren’t all bottoms.

I’m pre-op, no-T, non-binary, AFAB. Do I belong on Grindr? It depends on what you mean by, “Do I belong?” If what you mean is, “Am I allowed on Grindr and will I find someone there who might wanna fuck me?”, then the answer is yes. But if what you mean is, “Will I have a completely frictionless experience on Grindr and not encounter a single asshole who goes out of his way to make me feel like I don’t belong on a hookup app for gay and bi men because I have a vagina and boobs?”, then the answer is no. But by that standard… no one “belongs” on Grindr, where some people—where some assholes—have been known to go out of their way to make people, AFAB and AMAB, cis and trans, gay and otherwise, feel like they don’t belong.

My girlfriend has some body odor— underarm odor—that I notice when we play. Any subtle ways to tell her? I’m not a “mansmells” kind of guy/pervert, but I like the way my men smell… at least most of the time. When they smell too strong or sour or otherwise unpleasant, I usually just say, “You stink,” and point them to the shower. Try it.

How does one effectively manage a throuple? By not obsessing about what you’ve given up, lost, and/or never had—which would be absolute primacy—and instead being grateful for what you’ve gained, e.g., someone else to do the dishes, someone else to pick up groceries, someone else to walk the dogs, etc.

How are you liking“MILF Manor”? I stopped watching “MILF Manor” after the third episode—the challenges were increasingly lame, the MILFs didn’t seem serious about wanting to actually fuck the younger men, and the younger men didn’t seem serious about wanting to fuck the MILFs. I’m watching “Young Royals” S2, now, and rooting for Willie, Simon, and Marcus to form a throuple.

I’m addicted to PMO—“porn, masturbation, orgasm.” How do I break this addiction and start having real sex? If you’re having a hard time closing the laptop, pulling up your pants, and getting out of the house, you might have to do something radical — like canceling your internet service or getting your ass into therapy.

Ever since birthing my children all of my masturbation fantasies include me having a penis. Is there a possible physiological reason for this? Or is it all in my head? Physiological—“relating to the branch of biology

that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts”—would seem to cover what’s going on in your head, as you’re a living organism and your head is one of your parts, so the distinction you’re attempting to draw between physiological and psychological seems false to me. Whatever is going on here, it’s interesting—definitely something to explore and enjoy.

My ex and I miss each other—and we’re both in therapy now. Is it a bad idea to get back together? There’s an option between “broken up” and “back together,” and it’s called “dating.” Keep things casual, keep your own places, keep seeing your therapists, and keep all your options—including the option of getting back together—open.

Any recommended resources (such as books) for our 18-year-old son about samesex sex?

Assuming your son has access to the Internet, he probably knows quite a bit about same-sex sex already. I would supplement what he already knows (or thinks he knows) with” Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human,” by Erika Moen and Matthew Moen, which is for young people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and get him an appointment with a gay doc who can talk to him about safety and, if appropriate, get him on PrEP.

My 19-year-old daughter has never been in a relationship with a man or a woman. On social media, she identifies as she/her. She checked the “asexual” box on all her college applications. I have never asked her what her deal is, as I felt she would tell us if she wanted to. I’m OK for things to remain as they are, but I’m curious about her use of the term asexual. Does sex not serve her narrative or is she just not having any? She knows her parents are approachable. If your daughter knew you were looking at her college applications—if you were helping her prepare them—then she essentially told you she’s asexual. So, I don’t think you would be violating her privacy if you simply said, “I noticed you checked ‘asexual’ on your applications. If that’s something you want to talk about, we’re ready to listen. If not, that’s fine too. We love you just the same.” And in the meantime, read up about asexuality at the Asexuality Visibility and Education Network.

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

ACROSS

1 Up on things

6 Bee-deviled?

11 Smear

15 Cops having COs

18 Groundhog’s favorite painter?

20 See 124 Across

21 Northern sea bird

22 “The ___” (groundhog’s favorite song?)

24 The rocks

25 Adder relatives

70

2 Corrupts

3 Affected manners

4 Abbr. after Al D’Amato’s name when he was in office

5 Superlative ending

6 Bottom of a shoe, in Italian (or backward, a noted baseball family)

7 Less phony

8 Entreated

9 Japanese theater

10 1939 epic: abbr.

11 Vandalize

12 “___ in a storm”

13 Actor Tognazzi

14 UCLA player

32 Colonist of a sort

33 Subcmte. member, perhaps

36 Man and Superman author

38 Noticed 39 ___ Na Na

44 Go like lightning

45 Inning events

46 Film studios outside London

47 Tokyo’s old name

49 Call up, as an image

50 Tied the knot

52 It means “four”

54 Loss of the ability to write

55 With tai, a cocktail

SUNCOAST HORIZON

TAMPA, FL (2000)

Suncoast Horizon is a 55-foot Merry Rover gaff rigged, topsail schooner. Horizon was built in 2000 in Old Town, Florida, just off the Suwannee River, and previously sailed as Capt. Kiddn Galveston, Texas.

WHEN AND IF

NEW YORK, NY (1939)

General George S. Patton commissioned John Alden, one of America’s greatest naval architects, to design this schooner. It is said that Patton remarked, “When the war is over, and if I live through it, Bea and I are going to sail her around the world,” this phrase being the source of the yacht’s name.

JOLLY II ROVER

KEY WEST, FL (2003)

The Jolly II Rover is a classic, square-rigged, topsail schooner – a replica of an early 1800s American coastal schooner. She operates out of Key West’s Historic Seaport and boastsdistinctive red sails.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, MARCH 30

Parade of Sail: 3:00pm - 6:00pm

Captains Reception: 7:00pm - 9:00pm

FRIDAY, MARCH 31

Photographer Access: 7:00am - 9:00am

Field Trips/STEM Programs: 8:30am - 1:00pm

Dockside Festival: 10:00am – 6:00pm

Sunset Soiree on the Dock: 7:00pm –10:00pm

Toast the sunset and dance to the smooth sounds of JCBand

SATURDAY, APRIL 1

Sunrise Yoga on the Dock: 7:00am-9:00am

Dockside Festival: 10:00am – 6:00pm

Rock the Dock: 7:00pm –10:00pm

Party under the stars with Nightbreakers

SUNDAY, APRIL 2

Sunday Brunch: 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Dockside Festival: 11:00am – 6:00pm