Creative Loafing Tampa — March 21, 2024

EXECUTIVE OFFICER Michael Wagner

CO-FOUNDER, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

Cassandra Yardeni Wagner

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Graham Jarrett VP OF OPERATIONS Hollie Mahadeo

DIRECTOR OF AGENCY SERVICES

Kelsey Molina

SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Meradith Garcia

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL CONTENT STRATEGY

Colin Wolf

ART DIRECTOR David Loyola

DIGITAL OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Jaime Monzon chavagroup.com cltampabay.com cldeals.com

EDITORIAL POLICY — Creative Loafing Tampa Bay is a publication covering public issues, the arts and entertainment. In our pages appear views from across the political and social spectrum. They do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher.

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JAMES ZAMBON PRODUCTIONS

FREE EXHIBIT AT POYNTER PARK

CELEBRATING KINDNESS RESPECT & INCLUSION

MARCH 2 - MARCH 31, 2024

Experience 50 billboard-sized works of art and thought-provoking quotations by artists and writers from around the world.

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Darryl Shaw - a business executive and developer, shares his view of art and culture in Tampa Bay as vehicles for economic success.

You are known for supporting cultural institutions and artists in your development project in Ybor. What inspired you to start helping and collaborating with the arts in our community?

Art is a driving force of community enrichment, both culturally and economically. It’s impossible not to be inspired by its presence in Ybor and Tampa at large. I’m motivated by the belief that art has a transformative quality to unify and strengthen communities. I know that by helping to support and develop the arts here, we can foster the innovative connections necessary to stimulate economic growth, tourism, job opportunities, and a deep sense of community pride.

Have you faced any challenges in your efforts to support the arts, and how have you overcome them?

In our efforts to bolster the arts in the

neighborhood, we have encountered challenges with securing the buy-in of some business owners and philanthropists and, at first, building trust within our large community of artists. However, by showcasing the positive impact of our initiatives, engaging in transparent communication, and fostering authentic relationships with artists, we are working to earn deeper engagement and trust within our community.

In what ways do you enjoy art in your life? Any particular music you prefer?

Literary or visual art that speaks to you and moves you?

The overall beauty of our neighborhood is what moves me, especially when the visual aesthetic is coupled with the rich cultural history. It’s not Fine Art, but the architecture and history speak to me.

I’m inspired by the craftsmanship and history woven into these buildings. Ornate wrought-iron balconies, intricate brickwork, arched doorways, large windows providing natural light, and vibrant colors showcase an inspiring attention to detail that defines the area and transports visitors to another time and place. The architectural attributes of Ybor City are not just structures but storytellers, each building telling tales of resilience, innovation, and community spirit.

What advice would you give other businesses or entrepreneurs looking to support the arts in their communities?

My advice to businesses or entrepreneurs looking to support the arts in their communities is to collaborate with artists and art organizations

to create symbiotic initiatives, invest in original works of art while promoting and showcasing the artists, and exercise philanthropy in the arts by sponsoring events, exhibitions, workshops, and more. By prioritizing art sales, collaboration, and philanthropy in the arts sector, businesses can play a vital role in nurturing creativity, diversity, and innovation in their communities while reaping the benefits of a thriving and dynamic arts ecosystem.

Can you share a particularly memorable or rewarding experience you’ve had through your involvement with the arts in our community?

Two particularly memorable and rewarding experiences I’ve had through my involvement with the arts in our community were the opening of Kress Contemporary and witnessing the community turnout for the First Bi-Annual Ybor Art Walk. Witnessing the energy and enthusiasm that filled the streets was truly inspiring as art lovers, residents, and visitors came together to celebrate creativity and culture.

Witnessing the positive impact of Kress Contemporary and the Ybor Art Walk was a testament to the transformative power of art in shaping our surroundings and continuing to bring people together. The joy, excitement, and sense of pride that permeated these events were evidence that supporting and promoting the arts is a catalyst for positive change and cultural enrichment in our community.

What are your goals or aspirations for the future of arts support and engagement in our community?

The goal is to cement Ybor City as the premier thriving art district in the Tampa Bay Area. I envision a vibrant and dynamic arts ecosystem where creativity flourishes, artists thrive, and the community actively engages.

One of the key goals is to foster growth, recognition, and sustainable careers for artists. Establishing artist residencies, studio spaces, and mentorship programs that empower artists to create and collaborate while also connecting them with resources and networks will amplify their impact and visibility.

We also need to continue cultivating a greater art appreciation and participation culture among residents, visitors, and businesses in Ybor. This can be through events, performances, exhibitions, and educational initiatives. Creating more opportunities for accessible and inclusive arts programming helps foster community pride and ownership in the arts.

If you or your company are passionate about art in Tampa Bay, consider donating in-kind to the 2024 Impact Award and join us to celebrate extraordinary achievements.

One for the middle ages

Photos by Kimberly DeFalco

The Bay Area Renaissance Festival is a decades-long tradition and celebration of Middle Age life, and for one weekend each year it collides with St. Patrick’s Day. Here’s everyone we saw out at the fairgrounds on Auton Road. Tickets to the 2024 Bay Area Renaissance Festival happening weekends through March 31 are still available and start at 24.95 (kids four and under get in free). See more photos via cltampa.com/slideshows.—Ray Roa

cltampabay.com

do this

Tampa Bay's best things to do from March 21 - 28

Get your roll on

The St. Pete Pier is giving locals and visitors another chance to roll on over. After making its debut last year, St Petersburg’s Rockin Roller Rink returns to the pier where it will be onsite through April 14. The rink is located near the pier playground and run seven days a week, weather-permitting. A press release says the 5,000 square-foot outdoor skating rink will host live DJs on the weekends. Every other day of the week is a themed music night, including themes like Barbie Night (Thursday, March 21), this weekend’s 90s Party (Friday), hip-hop night (Monday), TikTok Tuesday, princess of pop tribute (Wednesday), and glow party (next Thursday, March 28). Tickets include a pair of skates and 75 minutes in the rink. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Reservations are recommended. Hippies and Birkenstock boys should know that you must bring your own socks.

Rockin Roller Rink: Through April 14. $17. St. Pete Pier, 600 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. rockinrollerrinkstpete.com —Suzanne Townsend

Dust it off

We’ve all got old VHS tapes, but very few of us properly celebrate the dusty cartridges and what’s on them. Not filmmakers Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher, who’ve been collecting them since 1991 and have more than 11,000. Pickett, a 12-year-contributor to The Onion, and Prueher, a former “Late Show with David Letterman” writer, co-host YouTube series “VCR Party Live!,” where they did up zany old clips for discussion. Their Found Footage Festival celebrates a 20th anniversary this year, and tour dates will take it to Europe, but not before four stops in Florida. Expect to see footage from the massive collection along with new finds, then year commentary from the duo.

Found Footage Festival: Next Thursday, March 28. 8 p.m. $20-$23. Music hall at New World Brewery, 810 E Skagway Ave., Tampa. foundfootagefest.com —Ray Roa

Son of a ‘buch

Gasparilla International Film Festival opens Thursday and while red carpet appearances from Quavo and John Travolta are high on GIFF’s big to-dos, the lineup also features close to two dozen feature-length films, along with almost 100 shorts. Most of the films are in competition for a prize in their respective categories, and will be judged by a grand jury in eight categories and screen Friday-Saturday at AMC Westshore, separated by blocks (sci-fi, thrills & chills, narrative shorts, and more). Highlights include “Blue Boy” from Tampa’s own Tyler Riggs, a full block dedicated to University of Tampa students, and Jake Myers’ “Kombucha”—co-starring Claire McFadden, pictured—which is about someone that slurps’ on office ‘buch, which causes some odd, gross side effects.

Gasparilla International Film Festival: Thursday-Sunday, March 21-24. $15 & up. Tampa Theatre (711 N Franklin St.) and AMC Westshore (210 Westshore Plaza), Tampa. gasparillafilmfestival.com —Ray Roa

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Be proud

In its 10th year, Tampa’s Pride Parade is back in Ybor City this weekend, bringing with it loads of floats and a free “Pride At Night” post-parade party headlined by “American Idol” alum David Hernandez. Read more and get additional information on Tampa Pride starting on p. 15.

Tampa Pride Diversity Parade: Saturday, March 23. 4 p.m. No cover. 7th Avenue between Nuccio Parkway and 20th Street, Ybor City. tampapride.org —Ray Roa

Best in the Bayboro

Time flies when you’ve got a buzz, and for the last four years, Bayboro Brewing has been keeping pints full for St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District. This weekend co-founders James and Kelcy Coleman celebrate another turn around the sun for their business where Kelcy and James—a former U.S. Marine who runs a “Buy a Vet a Beer” program at his brewery—together with brewers Aaron Hutchings and Thomas Ludwig pour staples like the Full Bird American IPA, Teufel Hunden milk stout, Mosquito Juice double IPA and more. New beers include Bayboro’s orange wheat beer, Irish stout and king cake porter. Bayboro has also built a reputation as a much needed, mid-size music venue that hosts everything from acoustic duos and cover bands to hyperlocal music festivals and out-of-town touring acts, so live music comes along with the luau, care of Americana act Mercy McCoy, plus Rockstead and Dub Collectors. All day beer and food specials—including a 1 p.m. pig roast—are on deck, too. Bayboro Brewing Turns 4: Saturday, March 23. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. No cover. Bayboro Brewing Co., 2392 5th Ave. S, St. Petersburg. bayborobrewing.com —Kyla Fields

Give me your tired

In line with Stageworks’ mission to spotlight marginalized communities, Mark Harelik’s timeless musical tackles immigration and assimilation via the true story of a young Russian-Jewish couple who immigrated to a small Texas town in the early-1900s. At a time when Jews across the U.S. are caught between their generational trauma and the war waged by Benjamin Netanyahu, this work—starring Sebastian Gonzalez (pictured) as Haskell Harelik—about how we are all far more alike than we are dissimilar might hit harder than anything else showing this spring.

The Immigrant: Through March 31. Fridays-Saturdays (7:30 p.m.) Saturdays-Sundays (3 p.m.). $25-$50. 1120 E Kennedy Blvd. no. 151, Tampa. stageworkstheatre.org —Ray Roa

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Hard won

The road to Tampa Pride has not been all rainbows.

By Suzanne Townsend

This year marks the Tampa Pride Diversity Parade’s 10th anniversary in Ybor City, but it’s been a rocky road to get here. Growing from a 20-person picnic on a grassy University of South Florida lawn in ‘82 to today’s pride parade in Ybor City drawing tens of thousands of people, the joy of Pride in Tampa has not been without its struggles.

In 1982 the first event that remotely resembled what we recognize as pride today took the form of a picnic and a softball game on the University of South Florida campus, ending with an evening sock-hop. There were only about 20 people there and one attendee recalls there being more spectators than celebrants.

Over the years Tampa Pride grew and parades throughout the ‘90s gained more popularity and support each year. Perhaps inevitably, though, Tampa Pride outgrew its local community.

The 2002 Pride event was set to be held at Raymond James Stadium with Pat Benetar as the headliner and tickets going on sale for $80 a pop. Ticket prices were already high so there wasn’t even a parade as part of the event. The LGBT community recognized that this was somewhat removed from the queer community itself and felt that it sullied pride and its original reason for being. Sure enough the event was a huge failure and left organizers in debt.

In the wake of corporate pride’s flop, Tampa Pride went on a brief hiatus. During this pause, however, in 2005 former Hillsborough County Commissioner Rhonda Storms put to vote that the Commission “adopt a policy that Hillsborough County government abstain from acknowledging, promoting or participating in gay pride recognition and events, little g, little p.” It passed. All sanctioned pride events in the county were banned. Storms then also added an amendment that would require a supermajority to repeal the ban.

Storms crusade was a huge blow to Tampa’s queer community and a reminder why pride events ever began at all. Especially when just across the Bay, St Pete Pride was the largest pride event in the state. Nonetheless there was hope. In 2005 the mayor of Key West invited Tampa Pride organizers to have “Pride in Exile.”

Organizers loaded buses up and shipped out down south. Monroe County hosted Tampa Pride late that summer right on Duval Street.

Then in 2006 the Tampa Museum of Art worked alongside Tampa’s queer community to organize the first Pride & Passion event. The museum was one of the only organizations in the Tampa Bay area that was not an exclu-

gala raised funds for the museum’s diversity, equity and inclusion programming and continues to be the museum’s most popular fundraiser year after year.

During the pride ban the community had some allies but it still took years for Tampa’s gay community to get back what it had lost. It wasn’t until 2013 that the Board of Hillsborough County Commissioners voted unanimously to repeal the pride ban, in large credit to the help of Kevin Beckner, Hillsborough’s first openly gay commissioner. Tampa Pride made its victorious return in 2015 by holding the first officially sanctioned pride in 13 years.

sively dedicated LGBT entity to hold a pride or pride-adjacent event.

At the time of the first ever Pride & Passion gala the museum also hosted exhibitions which reflected themes of diversity and the queer community’s contributions to the art world. Keith Haring was one featured artist. The

Tampa chose the month of March for its pride event, in part to set it apart from neighboring St Petersburg’s massive June celebrations where attendance can be in the hundreds of thousands, but also because of the spring month’s more Florida-friendly weather. It has also become the unofficial pride event for spring breakers.

The community had a lot to celebrate that year with the federal legalization of same-sex marriage and Pride’s return to Tampa marked the closing of a dark chapter in the city’s history.

Organizers raised $128,000 to fund Tampa Pride through corporate sponsorships, donations and entry fees. A commitment from the City of Tampa provided police, paramedics and cleanup crews. Then Tampa Police Chief and current Mayor Jane Castor was the first openly gay person to hold either of those positions in Tampa and was chosen to lead the 2015 100-unit parade as Grand Marshall alongside local activist and Hamburger Mary’s owner Kurt King.

Tampa remembered their brothers and sisters in Key West who supported them during the pride ban by featuring a 100-foot section of the 1.25-mile Sea-to-Sea Key West rainbow pride flag, which extended from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean in Key West.

After the parade ended, the party went on in festival form on the streets of Ybor City with over 100 LGBT-owned and LGBT-friendly businesses. The event drew around 20,000 people to Ybor City that year and has continued to grow over time.

LGBT revelers still have had to face bigoted protesters at Tampa Pride events over the years. In 2016 police had to separate Tampa Pride participants and homophobic picketers when a screaming match broke out in the street. In 2017 Tampa Pride highlighted a tribute for victims of the Pulse NightClub shooting that happened the previous year. Tampa Pride hosted survivors, first responders and bar staff from Orlando. Nonetheless, the queer community’s strength in numbers and in spirit have kept Tampa Pride safe.

In 2021 Tampa was one of the first cities to celebrate pride since the Covid-19 pandemic first struck the states. The event was a celebration of community after an extended period of isolation, as well as a space to reflect upon activism in the midst of the sunshine state’s ongoing battle against queer liberation.

Just this year, the Hillsborough County Commission passed on issuing a proclamation for Tampa Pride.

The city’s rocky history with Pride should serve as a reminder that the first pride was a riot–that pride has always been political. Though there are still strides to be made towards tolerance, particularly in the sunshine state’s legislature, it comes as a relief that the community and its allies no longer march brick in hand, but hand in hand.

DAVE

DECKER

JOY OF PRIDE: It’s been a long road to Tampa Pride 2024.

MADONNA

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We outside

The best events to get into during Tampa Pride Week.

By Jennifer Ring

When Carrie West and Mark Bias-West revived Tampa Pride, as we now know it, 10 years ago, they started with a festival, a diversity parade, and a focus on community health and wellness. Since then, the events have expanded to include a Pride Music and Art Festival, Pride at Night, an Interfaith Pride Service, and, new this year, a Rainbow Run. Here are all the official and unofficial Pride events we could find happening through the rest of Tampa Pride week.

Disco In the Dungeon:

a free shuttle from Grove to Ybor City for the parade. 11 a.m. Grove Soho, 406 S. Howard Ave., Tampa. @grovesoho on Instagram

TAMPA PRIDE

Saturday, March 23 The Castle is one of the many spots in the Tampa Pride travel guide, and it welcomes Pride partygoers for a night disco party where DJ IX spins on the dungeon.

10:30 p.m. 2004 N 16th St., Tampa. castleybor.com

Grove Soho’s Tampa Pride Brunch:

Saturday, March 23 The day of the Tampa Pride Parade is going to be a long one, so start it right with brunch at Grove Soho, featuring free brunch bites, $15 bottomless mimosas, $4 seltzers, $3 BJ shots, and a drag show hosted by Adriana Sparkle at noon. Afterward, catch

Tampa Pride Street Festival: Saturday, March 23 Tampa Pride’s street festival stretches from the Cuban Club to Hillsborough Community College, with vendors in the HCC parking lot and along 9th Avenue between 13th and 15th Streets. One part health and wellness fair, one part variety show, and one part artisan fair, the street festival brings a little bit of everything to Ybor City. Tampa Pride Band kicks off the festivities at the Cuban Club Courtyard at 10:45 a.m. The entertainment continues with a new performance every hour leading up to the diversity parade at 4 p.m. Entertainment Directors Johnny Valentino and Deb Ducko have planned an afternoon full of drag, live music, ballroom, and magic that continues into the evening at the Cuban Club. In between performances, wander Ninth Avenue, where you’ll find food, crafts, and health and wellness resources. 10:45 a.m.-4:15 p.m. The Cuban Club, 2010 N. Avenida Republica de Cuba, Ybor City. tampapride.org/festival

Diversity Parade: Saturday, March 23

Carve out a spot along Seventh Avenue before 4 p.m. for the annual Tampa Pride Diversity Parade. Organizers expect about 150 groups to participate in the parade, which typically lasts a little over two hours and runs west to east, starting at Nuccio Parkway all the way to N 20th Street. Multiple bars along the route typically offer some sort of watch party. 4 p.m. Along Seventh Avenue in Gaybor, Ybor City. tampapride.org/parade-2

Pride at Night: Saturday, March 23 After the parade, make your way back to the Cuban Club for Pride at Night, starting with Tampa Bay Legends of Drag, hosted by Esme Russell and starring Melanie Minyon, Felicity Lane, Joey Brooks, Kori Stevens and Jocelyn Summers at 7 p.m. Pop-rock cover band, The Actual Bank Robbers performs, Coco Montrese from RuPaul’s Drag Race Live Las Vegas, and American Idol finalist David Hernandez in this four hour long concert and show at the Cuban Club. 7 p.m.-11 p.m. The Cuban Club, 2010 N. Avenida Republica de Cuba, Ybor City

GirlPride Tampa: Saturday, March

23 Head to Crowbar for some Girl Pride. This Women’s Pride concert features performances by The Cheaters, DJ Ace Vedo, Deb Hunseder, Tampa Bay Diva Jessica Taylor, The Naughty Girls of Burlesque, The Dirty Dolls, and Anarkitty which formed at Girls Rock Camp St. Pete. 1 p.m.-9 p.m. $30. Crowbar, 1812 N 17th St., Ybor City. @GirlPrideTampa on Facebook

House of Fuego’s Pride Vibes Party ‘til 5 a.m. at House of Fuego’s Pride after-party happening at a Seventh Avenue venue jus across the street from Hotel Haya and behind to Southern Nights. This circuit event celebrates love and acceptance with Missionary of Happiness Anne Louise, RuPaul Drag Race Star Nina Flowers, and an opening set by DJ Kurtis Jose. 10 p.m.-5 a.m. $45-108. Venue on 6th, 1701c N. Republica de Cuba, Tampa. thehouseoffuego.com

Orange Party Pride Sunday Tea Dance: Sunday, March 24 Orange Party—which has a mission to embrace diversity, promote inclusion, and empower our community through music, dance, and philanthropy—comes to Tampa’s renowned Showbar for a post-pride celebration. 4 p.m.-10 p.m. $50-60. Showbar, 1613 E 7th Ave., Tampa. orangepartyflorida.com

Balance Tampa Bay, FAMLeague, and Gaybor District’s Pride Brunch: Sunday, March 24 The Brunch game surrounding Tampa Pride is strong. Brianna Summers hosts this all-you-can-drink Pride brunch benefiting Balance Tampa Bay, FAMLeague, and Gaybor District. The party features Jewels Sparkles Miss Renaissance Rising Star, Keirra Ka’oir Summers Miss Heart of FL Newcomer, and DJ Greg Anderson. Noon-3 p.m. $50. Haiku Tampa, 808 N Franklin St., Tampa. balancetampabay.org/tickets

XOXO: Tampa Pride happens on March 23, 2024 in Ybor City, Florida.

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Atta boy: ‘Idol’ finalist David Hernandez among Tampa Pride headlining entertainment.

Gabriel Pabon from “90 Day Fiancé” is a guest on Tampa Pride’s parade floats, but he won’t be the only celebrity in town. It’s been almost 20 years since David Hernandez blazed his way through the seventh season of “American Idol” with powerhouse performances of songs by Wilson Pickett, The Temptations and that made believers out of Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul while also changing the heart of ice cold Simon Cowell.

“This isn’t it for me,” Hernandez said after finishing in the top 12. The boy who started singing at six years old made good on his promise. Hernandez, 40, is just one of three of the top men from that season who are still active (the other Davids, Cook and Archuleta, continue to tour and record music), and he’s in Tampa as part of postPride parade headlining entertainment.

Hernandez, who came out in 2016 eight years after “Idol,” arrives in support of a 2022 EP, Don’t @ Me, which he’ll pull from for his headlining performance on Saturday night.

Hosts include Orlando diva Imani Valentino, Miss Tampa Pride 2024 Charlotte Diamond Star and Phaedra E. Rose, Mr. Tampa Pride 2024 Lane Cardoza, Dante V, Kc Starz, Ericka Pc and more.

There’s no cover for the Pride @ Night afterparty at The Cuban Club in Ybor CIty on Saturday, March 23. Here’s more on the post-parade performers.

Coco Montrese Born in Miami, Miss Coco Montrese found fame after being crowned Miss Gay America in 2010. THe 49-yearold’s star was boosted in 2013 with a spot on season five of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and another turn on the boob tube for season two of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.”

Her colorful sass has been a hallmark of her performances at Disney World and at shows across the country.

Actual Bank Robbers After initially meeting while working at a theme park, the five-piece indie-rock band came together in 2015, released its debut Checklist a year later, and garnered a reputation for high energy sets (and can play a plethora of covers from Abba to the biggest Billboard hits of today).—

Ray Roa

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LOCAL NEWS

Tampa Pride: Diversity Parade

Saturday, March 23. 4 p.m. No cover. 7th Avenue, Ybor City tampapride.org

POLITICS ISSUES OPINION

Say what

Three Hillsborough commissioners pass on signing Tampa Pride commendation.

By Ray Roa

Tampa’s Pride parade celebrates its 10th anniversary this weekend, but Carrie West said this has never happened before. For the last nine years, Hillsborough’s Board of County Commissioners has presented a Pride commendation inside the board chambers—not this time.

“It does really hurt,” West, President of Tampa Pride, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, adding that getting the commendation is about more than taking pictures. He said that Pride also takes that time to update the board (BOCC) on the organization’s progress on programs like the scholarships for college and trade school that the organization offers to members of the LGBTQ+ community who demonstrate financial need. This year, Pride added an interfaith service and 5K run as part of Pride week activities. Members also upped their gift giving during the holidays. Being in front of the board lets the community know that Tampa Pride is out there all year.

“This isn’t just about a small group of people. This is really about the whole. It’s all about the LGBT brothers and sisters from all avenues, and it’s also a day of celebration,” West said.

Emails West shared with CL show that in early-February he and Hillsborough County’s communications and digital media team worked together to make sure the commendation included all of the updates. West and members of his Pride team were supposed to receive the award on March 6.

But public records obtained by CL show that on Valentine’s Day, an aide for Commissioner Pat Kemp delivered the news that the 2024 commendation would not happen as planned. The aide cited a new policy enacted in September 2023, which, in part, requires six signatures for commendations that are deemed “controversial or sensitive because they address matters of political controversy, ideological, or religious beliefs; one’s individual conviction; or address matters which do not serve a public interest.”

“Only 4 Commissioners signed it this year. Therefore, there will no longer be a presentation of this important Commendation at the BOCC meeting, as we hoped to have,” the aide added.

Three Democrats—Kemp, Harry Cohen, and Gwen Myers—and one Republican, Board Chairman Ken Hagan, signed the 2024 Tampa Pride Street Festival and Diversity Parade commendation. The board’s most conservative members, Joshua Wostal, Board Vice Chair Michael Owen, and Board Chaplain Donna Cameron Cepeda did not.

with a well-documented history of spreading dangerous conspiracy theories—like mass shootings are false flags and the COVID-19 pandemic was planned by Bill Gates.

Cepeda, along with Wostal, Owen, Hagan and Myers, did not respond to requests for comments on the Pride commendation.

“I hoped that we had come further than that.”

Cohen, who presented the Pride commendation in 2023, told CL he is disappointed that there will not be an official commendation this year. Kemp, who will instead celebrate and pres -

West said that the development brought him a bit back to 2005 when then Commissioner Ronda Storms successfully got the county to ban “acknowledging, promoting or participating in gay pride recognition and events, little g, little p.”

That ban was not lifted until 2013 when Kevin Beckner, Hillsborough County’s first openly gay commissioner, led the charge towards a 7-0 vote to repeal.

Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who’ll serve as a grand marshall in this weekend’s parade, was pivotal in launching the city’s Pride parade and in 2013 also encouraged the BOCC to repeal the ban, saying it was the right thing to do, and good for business, too.

The county says that commendations are meant to “recognize important dates and causes, and to celebrate the significant contributions of businesses, groups, and individuals to the people of Hillsborough County.” Last summer, Cepeda presented a commendation to a Tampa pastor

ent a version of the commendation with four signatures on it this Saturday ahead of the parade added, “It’s very discouraging and hurtful that three Republican board members are refusing to celebrate LGBTQ Pride in Hillsborough County.”

Buckhorn told CL he was saddened by the current BOCC’s failure to present the commendation in the chamber. He noted how far the community has progressed in the last 15-20 years and reiterated his belief that the step back is also not good for economic development.

“We are known for tolerance and celebrating our diversity is a strength,” Buckhorn told CL. “I think it’s short sighted. I hoped that we had come further than that, and we would never end up in these kinds of discussions again, and that everyone’s value would be recognized and that everyone’s diversity would be celebrated—that’s what makes us different as a city and makes us better as a city.”

With just a few days left to tie up loose ends before the parade, West looked ahead to Saturday. He told CL he was proud of all the new Pride celebrations popping up in smaller communities in Texas, Wisconsin, and even locally in places like North Pinellas and Lakeland.

“People in the communities feel very secure about themselves. They also want them to have an identity and to show that they are workers in their communities,” West said. “Small towns are starting to grow, and that is where Pride is going to go.”

Read an extended version of this story at cltampa.com/news.

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LITTLE P: Carrie West said recent developments in Hillsborough almost brought him back to 2005.

Say gay

Settlement limits enforcement of Florida’s controversial HB 1577.

By Michael Moline/The Florida

Phoenix

Gov. Ron DeSantis was quick out the door with a claim that a settlement in a legal challenge to his Parental Rights in Education Act—or Don’t Say Gay—vindicated his efforts “to keep radical gender and sexual ideology out of the classrooms of public-school children.”

In fact, the settlement agreement’s terms also limit enforcement of that law (HB 1577), which the governor pushed through the Legislature two years ago to bar public school instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity through grade three (subsequently expanded through higher grades).

The state signed the settlement on March 11, one week after a federal appeals court blocked another DeSantis law, the 2022 Individual Freedom Act, (HB 7) known as the Stop Woke Act.

That law would subject any individual to believe concepts that would constitute discrimination, such as “members of one race, color, national origin, or sex are morally superior to members of another race, color, national origin, or sex.” The law relates to both businesses and public schools.

in a written statement. “We are victorious, and Florida’s classrooms will remain a safe place under the Parental Rights in Education Act.”

The press release added: “Thanks to the leadership of Gov. DeSantis, the law remains in effect, and children will be protected from radical gender and sexual ideology in the classroom.”

LGBTQ wins

Yet the agreement also gives the organizations challenging the law, including Equality Florida, much of what they asked for, significantly curtailing limits on recognition of LGBTQ people and their rights.

FLORIDA NEWS

To the extent it prevents private companies from requiring employees to attend diversity and inclusion training, a federal judge in Tallahassee ruled in August 2022 that the law was unconstitutional as applied to businesses and a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed that ruling this March 4.

Meanwhile, the Legislature has voted to extend the stop-woke principle to teacher education programs, via a bill holding that certification curricula “may not distort significant historical events or include a curriculum or instruction that teaches identity politics … or is based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities.”

For example, it’s now OK to: Speak openly about the topics in the classroom and assignments, including regarding the families of students and teachers.Operate gay-straight alliances plus other extracurricular activities and display rainbow stickers designating safe spaces.Punish bullying based on sexual orientation or gender identity.Furthermore, the settlement agreement would appear to end purges of library books or movies and plays with LGBTQ characters and allow same-sex dancing at school events or dressing in line with one’s gender identity. The law can’t be used to discriminate against LGBTQ people and the state has to distribute the settlement’s stipulations to schools throughout the state.

“This is a step in the right direction, but the fight against this dangerous law continues.”

“This settlement not only reaffirms the rights of LGBTQ+ students and educators to live and speak openly but also marks a significant step towards rectifying the damage inflicted by the ‘Don’t Say Gay or Trans’ law. It’s a testament to what we can achieve when we stand united against discrimination and for the dignity of all LGBTQ+ people in Florida,” Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida, said in a written statement following the agreement’s release Monday.

In a press release related to Don’t Say Gay, the governor’s office called the settlement “a major win against the activists who sought to stop Florida’s efforts to keep radical gender and sexual ideology out of the classrooms of publicschool children.”

“We fought hard to ensure this law couldn’t be maligned in court, as it was in the public arena by the media and large corporate actors,” DeSantis’ General Counsel Ryan Newman said

“This victory is more than a legal triumph; it’s a beacon of hope and a reminder of the power of collective action. It demonstrates our ongoing commitment to a Florida where everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, can live authentically and without fear,” Smith said.

“This is a step in the right direction, but the fight against this dangerous law continues— learning about diverse families should not be continued on page 37

IN STEP: Equality Florida has challenged HB 1577 from day one.

DAVE DECKER

off-limits in Florida schools,” Katie Blankenship, director of PEN America’s Florida office, said in a separate statement.

“Thankfully, this settlement will bring books back to the shelves and restore open discourse on LGBTQ+ identity in our classrooms. But even with this victory and the clarification that the settlement provides, ‘Don’t Say Gay’ continues to chill protected expression and prevent ageappropriate education on important topics on the basis of partisan ideology,” Blankenship added.

PEN America had filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the case that produced the March 4 Eleventh Circuit ruling allowing diversity and inclusion training in businesses.

Confusion

DeSantis threw the public schools into confusion and conflict in pursuing the law as he prepared for his abortive campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. He claimed that LGBTQ activists were attempting to indoctrinate young people into an ideology.

Subsequent legislation specifically targeted the trans community, restricting use of pronouns or names reflecting their gender identity and access to bathrooms and changing rooms on that basis.

“While the settlement helps prevent overbroad interpretations of the bill and may mitigate its chilling effect, HB 1557 remains the law in Florida, and much of its harmful content will continue intact,” a PEN America press release says.

The organization notes that in January a federal judge refused to dismiss claims of viewpoint discrimination and denial of the right to receive information under the First Amendment against the Escambia County School Board’s sweeping ban on challenged books.

In the Equality Florida case, a federal trial judge in Tallahassee upheld the law. At the time of the settlement, an appeal was before the Eleventh Circuit.

The settlement agreement does give examples of what the state does not want to happen, pointing to:

Policies in “multiple school districts” that “excluded parents from discussions and decisions on sensitive subjects related to students.”Instruction on the concepts of sexual orientation and gender.A Broward County policy that if the subject came up teachers should tell students that “transgender people change their gender once they are old enough to explain to others how they feel about their own gender.”

Defining terms

“Typical class participation and schoolwork are not ‘instruction’ even if a student chooses to address sexual orientation or gender identity,” it reads. Teachers can respond to student discussions, including essays on the topics, and answer questions about their own families.

“For kindergarten through grade three, they simply must not handle these situations by teaching the subjects of sexual orientation or gender identity,” the agreement says.

It specifically clears literary treatments and notes that straight relationships entail a sexual orientation.

FLORIDA NEWS

“The statute applies equally, regardless of viewpoint. Put differently, the stature restricts classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, not homosexuality and transgender identity. For example, it would violate the statute to instruct students that heterosexuality is superior or that gender identify is immutable based on biological traits.”

“Classrooms and schools ought to be safe spaces that promote empathy, compassion, and belonging.”

The settlement stipulates that instruction means “the formal work of teaching.” The law restricts instruction “on sexual orientation or identity” “in a classroom setting.” It defines the forbidden subjects as “an overview of modern gender theory or a particular view of marriage equality.”

Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association, believes the agreement will help the classroom teachers he represents a great deal.

“More than anything, teachers want to be able to provide their students with safe, inclusive learning environments that allow students to grow and thrive,” Spar said in a written statement.

“The settlement will now compel the state to provide much needed guidance for teachers, education staff professionals, faculty, parents and students. This clarity is key to making sure that LGBTQ+ community members feel supported in their pursuit of public education in Florida and reaffirms that we should not tolerate any harassment of students or teachers,” Spar said.

‘Landmark moment’

“This is a landmark moment for LGBTQ+ students, teachers, parents, and allies across the state and reaffirms Florida’s responsibility to protect every student and respect every family,” state Sen. Shevrin Jones, who’s openly gay, said in a written statement about the settlement.

“Classrooms and schools ought to be safe spaces that promote empathy, compassion, and belonging—not fear and uncertainty. I applaud the parents, students, teachers, and advocates who stood up against hate to reach this important agreement. It is undeniably a step in the right direction as we work toward a future in which every voice truly matters and is heard,” said Jones, who represents part of Miami-Dade County.

Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Diane Rado for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com. Follow Florida Phoenix on Facebook and Twitter.

ROUND OF APPLAUSE: Sen. Shevrin Jones, who’s openly gay, lauded the settlement.

FLSENATE/TWITTER

continued from page 35

Ring things

Investigation about ‘corruption within the City of Tampa’ remains active.

By Tom Scherberger/The Florida Trident

Last year, Hillsborough prosecutors made an explosive allegation in an otherwise routine motion: Tampa police had uncovered “potential evidence suggesting public corruption within the City of Tampa.” It was a vague assertion that came in the midst of contentious city elections, sparking speculation about what it meant.

A year later, the mystery remains. What is clear is that a criminal investigation by the Tampa Police Criminal Intelligence Unit arising from that case is still underway.

The Florida Trident confirmed the existence of the investigation through public records requests in the case involving John Ring, an Ybor City businessman who went by the alias of “Gio Fucarino.” In recent years, Ring/Fucarino diligently worked his way into Tampa civic and political circles, where he became closely associated with Mayor Jane Castor and was elected to the board of the Italian Club. He had become cozy with police brass as well, even sharing the passcode to enter his office with three members of the Tampa Police Department.

Police seized Ring’s cell phone and desktop computer when he was arrested. As the phone and computer were being examined, police detective Brian Campagnano emailed prosecutor Daniel Goldstein that “more than likely more charges (are) coming shortly,” records show. Four days later, the review of the computer and cell phone were completed and three days after that Campagnano wrote a motion to seal the search warrant and whatever was found, according to documents obtained by the Trident.

The computer and phone records are exempt from disclosure because they are part of an active criminal investigation by the police department’s Criminal Intelligence Bureau, which handled Ring’s investigation.

LOCAL NEWS

Castor’s spokesman, Adam Smith, contacted the Florida Trident shortly after this story was published to say that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is now actively investigating the John Ringrelated corruption case in lieu of the Tampa Police Department investigation.

But his criminal past soon came back to haunt him. What few people who interacted with him at public events knew was that Ring was convicted in 2010 for soliciting sex with a 17-year-old girl and spent three years in prison. He had registered regularly as required of sex offenders but failed to disclose his cell phone, Instagram and email address as required.

Although felonies, such charges are considered technical violations. But after receiving a tip about his hidden identity, police spent two days surveilling Ring and sent a half-dozen officers to arrest him at his office next to the Italian Club on March 17, 2023. He was taken to jail in handcuffs in the back of a police car, igniting a firestorm of local media attention. In August, the case was settled with a plea deal: prosecutors dropped two charges and Ring pleaded guilty to a single count of failing to report his email and Instagram account. He was sentenced to three years probation.

The case against Ring began with a tip from Michael Victor, a retired Tampa police officer who has been the driver for three mayors, including Jane Castor. The tip was forwarded by the mayor’s chief of staff to the Criminal Intelligence Bureau.

In an April 10 memo reviewed by the Florida Trident, Campagnano wrote that the “tip also alleged that Ring may be involved with the illegal sex trade and with human trafficking.”

A year later, the mystery remains.

Before he was arrested, police saw a young woman enter and leave Ring’s Ybor City office, taking an Uber to and from her Clearwater home. Two detectives later interviewed the woman at her home.

The questions focused on whether Ring had hired her to have sex with him or other men. She insisted that was not the case.

No other charges have been filed.

When a criminal case is closed, all evidence gathered by police and prosecutors become public record. The existence of an ongoing criminal investigation emerged through public records requests from the Trident in Ring’s closed case. In this case, the evidence from his seized phone and computer are not public because they are part of an ongoing criminal investigation, police said.

The motion to seal the evidence, written by police Det. Shaun McNiff, was granted by a judge. It remains exempt as part of the ongoing investigation.

Ring and his attorney declined comment.

The Florida Trident is a news site published by the Florida Center for Government Accountability, a nonprofit that facilitates local investigative reporting and access to public records across the state. The organization can be contacted at info@flcga.org.

HALL PASS: A city of Tampa spokesperson said the feds are now investigating the public corruption.

RAMUNAS/ADOBE

Up in arms

Tampa democrat among lawmakers supporting new sanctions on minors possessing guns.

By Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix

Florida lawmakers say they want minors to pay a price for illegally possessing a firearm, and that’s why they passed a bill this month to increase sanctions: First-time offenders carrying a gun would be held in a detention facility for up to five days and serve 100 hours of community service or paid work—though they wouldn’t be charged with a felony.

They’d be charged with a third-degree misdemeanor instead.

A second-time offender would be charged with a thirddegree felony and would spend 21 days in a detention facility. He or she would be required to serve between 100 to 250 hours of community service or paid work determined by the Department of Juvenile Justice.

The legislation had originally called for minors caught with a gun to be charged with a third-degree felony—a much more severe penalty.

you ever been arrested for a felony? Well now he can answer it, ‘no’ if he’s of a mind to be corrected and learn the error of his ways.”

that ultimately made it into his bill. The Florida Sheriffs Association also was involved in crafting the legislation.

FLORIDA NEWS

“We don’t want teenagers carrying guns,“ said Sen. Darryl Rouson, of Tampa Bay. “We don’t want teenagers thinking that if they carry one, they’ll be out in a few hours [after being arrested]. We want sanctions as if it were a felony but allow a pathway to those who are of a mind to be corrected and rehabilitated to experience that too, without the stigma of a felony.”

Rouson had pushed for an amendment in the bill to ensure that first offenders would be for third-degree misdemeanors.

Pinellas County Republican Berny Jacques, sponsor of HB 1181, told the Phoenix that his motivation was to combat what he says is an excess of gun violence committed by teens in Florida.

A third-time offender would be “adjudicated delinquent” and committed to a juvenile residential program.

The majority of House Democrats opposed the bill.

Rouson says that it’s important to hold minors accountable—without marking them with a felony that would follow them the rest of their lives.

“What if a 14-year-old gets arrested for possession and it’s a felony? Then the next time when he’s 15 and wants to apply for a job at Publix, he’ll have to answer that question: Have

A former prosecutor in Pinellas, Jacques said that he had spoken to some of his former colleagues in the prosecutor’s office, and they confirmed that they have been seeing more gun violence committed by juveniles. Though he did not provide specific data, Jacques said that after talking about the issue with some of his fellow lawmakers, he believes the problem is statewide.

“The majority of House Democrats opposed the bill.”

Jacques also was prompted to push the bill in the Legislature when news broke about a shooting on Christmas Eve in the Pinellas County city of Largo, where two teenage brothers fighting over Christmas presents led to a 14-year-old shooting and killing his 23-year-old sister. The boy’s 15-year-old brother then retaliated by shooting and wounding the 14-year-old.

The Senate approved the measure unanimously, 39-0. The House approved it 84-25.

He says that led to a work group involving Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Eric Hall “brainstorming” over ideas about minors and guns

Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Diane Rado for questions: info@ floridaphoenix.com. Follow Florida Phoenix on Facebook and Twitter.

FOOD NEWS

RESTAURANTS RECIPES DINING GUIDES

Monster bummer

Cigar Cigar Brewing parent company reportedly lays off at least 12 Tampa employees.

By Ray Roa

The Cigar City Brewing taproom on Spruce Street was busy last Friday afternoon, with spring breakers standing around a table, families seated for lunch and other lone rangers at the bar. The energy was juxtaposed to the collective groan of Tampa Bay’s craft beer community, which lamented rumors of a big layoff at the iconic locally-based brewery.

Craft beer industry website Brewbound confirmed that 12 positions have been eliminated at Cigar City Brewing (CCB), as the recently-renamed Monster Brewing Company shifts the CCB “production hub to a cross-category innovation center.”

The Spruce Street taproom, along with CCB’s outposts at Amalie Arena and Tampa International Airport will all stay open, according to the site.

Reps for Canarchy did not return emails to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.

The layoffs at CCB come a month after its legendary brewer, Wayne Wambles, announced that his position had been eliminated.

Last month, Wambles, who led the charge in creating iconic CCB beers like Jai Alai and Hunahpu, also wished Monster Beverage Company, which purchased CCB’s thenparent Canarchy in 2022, as well.

“As I look back at my involvement with Cigar City Brewing, I feel proud. We accomplished a great deal as a company in short time,” Wambles wrote. “The best days were from 2009-20015. Those years allowed me to be incredibly creative without bounds. Today, I still have the same love and drive for brewing and will move forward intuitively. Thank you for your support!”

eliminated, but remaining employees have the heavy burden of continuing the label’s reputation for making some of the best beer in the country.

Tim Ogden, who spent six years at CCB where he developed the brand’s famous Tocobaga Red Ale, told CL that what Wambles and CCB founder Joey Redner built was special.

“I hope they’re able to land on their feet quickly,” Ogden added in a text message with CL.

“I sincerely hope they find ways to continue to thrive.”

Without comment from CCB’s parent company, it’s hard to say which positions were

“I’m proud to have had a hand to lend during its formidable years. I can’t think of a better startup to fall into as a second brewing job. Many friendships and professional relationships were forged at CCB, and I’m sure I’m not alone in this feeling, but I wish the staff remaining in place the best of luck and hope they have all the support they need both in the community and internally,” Ogden said, adding that if his yearold Ybor Heights brewery, Deviant Libation, was in a position to hire laid off workers, it would.

“The spirit of creativity and collaboration that once drove the success of Cigar City will live on in the many former employees and leaders who have moved on over the years, for as long as the community supports their endeavors. I sincerely hope they find ways to continue to thrive.”

Just before Wambles was let go last month, Monster Beverage Corporation’s Canarchy

Rodney Sacks, Monster Beverage Corporation’s Chairman and other Co-CEO said, “We are particularly proud that The Beast Unleashed was the best-selling new beer brand in 2023,” alluding to the energy drink-flavored hard seltzer with Monster-esque flavors.

Last month, Monster reported 14.4% increased net sales in the fourth quarter of 2023, to $1.73 billion, from $1.51 billion in the comparable period last year.

Brewbound said that CCB beer will be produced at the Oskar Blues Brewery in Brevard, North Carolina while the Tampa location “transitions to an R&D hub for beer, flavored malt beverages (FMB) and spirits.”

Last November, Monster closed its 50,000 sq. ft. Oskar Blues brewery and taproom in Austin, Texas.

The layoffs also arrive after the Bay area celebrated another Tampa Bay Beer Week (TBBW). As whispers about the layoffs spread this week, TBBW wrote on social media that it does not have any more information than its followers. A post described the scene at CCB’s storied Hunahpu day as having “pre2020 energy,” alluding to the pre-pandemic revelry of the legendary festival.

introduce and market new products that are becoming leading brands in the flavored malt beverage space.”

“Everyone we ran into that day working the tasting room was in good spirits. To hear of people being let go and changes coming to the production there saddens us. This brewery, and this event specifically, was a major lightning bolt that sparked our founding,” TBBW added. “There’s no question that our community wouldn’t be where it is without the history there, the brewers it cultivated and inspired. We will celebrate those who have gone on to create great things that continue to strengthen our community.”

VISIT TAMPA BAY

Craft Brewery Collective announced plans to operate as Monster Brewing Company. Hilton Schlosberg, the billionaire Vice Chairman and Co-CEO of MBC, wrote that since 2022, his company has, “integrated CANarchy’s infrastructure to develop,

UNLEASH THE BEAST: CCB’s parent company recently touted the success of its energy-drink inspired malt beverage.

Want that smoke

Big John’s Alabama BBQ and Columbia top ‘Southern Living’ poll, plus more local food news.

By Kyla Fields

Known for its catchy and extremely true slogan of “We Be Smokin,’” East Tampa’s Big John’s Alabama BBQ received nationwide recognition this week. Southern Living magazine included the family-owned restaurant in the listing of “The South’s Best Barbecue Joint In Every State”, representing the Sunshine State in this year’s installment of its annual, reader-driven ranking.“Big John’s is new to the South’s Best list but it’s hardly new to the Tampa Bay area…it still features splendid chicken, sausage, and ribs cooked hot and fast on an Alabama-style open pit with a giant brick chimney,” the magazine writes.

In addition to its classic barbecued meats, Big John’s—located at 5707 N 40th St.—is also known for Southern sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, roasted corn, potato salad and baked beans. Southern Living states that the readers that compiled 2024’s list were drawn to more “tried-and-true,” old-school BBQ joints versus contemporary, newly-opened restaurants. “Notably, many of the new winners this year are quite a bit older than the restaurants they replaced from last year’s poll,” Southern Living writes in its introduction. “If my math is correct, the 15 institutions on the 2024 list represent more than 500 total years of serving top-notch Southern barbecue to hungry diners.”

tapped a third party to run its “South’s Best” survey, which saw more than 20,000 people chime in from July 12-Aug. 23 last year.

“My father would be proud to have read the article,” Richard Gonzmart, Columbia’s fourthgeneration caretaker, wrote in a press release.

he sandwich is perhaps the most iconic food of Tampa and was immortalized in Best of the Bay-winning book, “The Cuban Sandwich: A History in Layers,” one of the best Florida books of 2022. Last Thanksgiving, one of the book’s authors, past Creative Loafing Tampa Bay columnist and reporter Andy Huse was immortalized in the New York Times’ illustrated history of the Cuban sandwich.

FOOD NEWS

The accolade is not the first for Columbia and its parent company, the 1905 Family of Restaurants. In 2021, Food & Wine called the Columbia Cuban the best sandwich in Florida, and in 2020 it was among Food Network’s “Best Sandwiches in America.” PBS even devoted an entire episode of “Cook’s Country From America’s Test Kitchen” to the recipes used to create the sandwich.

Pacific Counter opens fifth poke spot in down-

town Tampa

According to the BBQ restaurant’s social media, Southern Living magazine awarded Big John’s this same accolade in 2021. The history of Big John’s Alabama BBQ dates back to 1968 when the late Rev. John A. “Big John” Stephens debuted his laid-back restaurant in East Tampa. After his passing in the mid-90’s, his wife, kids and now grandchildren continued his culinary legacy and open pit-style barbequing techniques.

In 2010, the popular spot moved to a new location in East Tampa, but classics like pork sausages, slabs of ribs and barbecued chicken have been on its menu for decades. Big John’s Alabama BBQ is open from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Sunday and is closed each Sunday.

Another storied local spot topped part of the listing, too. On the same day as Columbia Restaurant’s 104th birthday, readers of the fabled magazine voted the Tampa institution’s Cuban sandwich as best in Florida.

“Their version is set apart by a few superior ingredients: glazed ham with subtle sweetness, pork shoulder instead of pork loin, and perfect bread made locally at La Segunda Central Bakery,” Southern Living wrote. The magazine

A new fast casual spot in downtown Tampa softly opened last week, and it offers yet another lunch option for the droves of business casual fashionistas that work in the area. Pacific Counter’s newest location resides at 115 W Tyler St. in downtown Tampa, around the corner The Straz Center for Performing Arts and the Riverwalk. The locally-owned, fast casual restaurant quietly opened its doors on Tuesday, March 5.

Pacific Counter’s Best of the Bay-winning menu features quick and health-oriented fare that’s a “mainland mix of coastal classics,” with dishes like build-your-own poke bowls, loaded hot dogs, Spam musubi and sushi burritos that cater to a variety of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets. Its popular Dole whip soft serve (which is free with a poke purchase on Wednesdays) and a variety of boba teas are also offered at all Pacific Counter locations.

Owners Tanner Loebel, Eric Bialik and Chitt Noythanongsay debuted the first Pacific Counter on downtown St. Pete’s 600 block in 2018 and have steadily expanded its footprint across Tampa Bay. In addition to Tampa’s newly-opened Pacific Counter, the locally-owned company operates locations in downtown St. Pete, Lakewood Ranch, South Tampa, Sarasota and even a scaled-down operation inside of Tropicana Field.

Downtown Tampa’s Pacific Counter was originally slated to debut roughly two years ago. Head to @pacific_counter on Instagram for the latest news on Pacific Counter and its many locations throughout Tampa Bay.

Palm Harbor is getting a Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s, a popular boutique grocer known for cheap wine, snacks and hellmouth parking lots, will open its fifth Tampa Bay area store later this year. According to Trader Joe’s website, the company is adding a new Pinellas County location in Palm Harbor at 33591 U.S.-Hwy 19 N. No exact opening date has been confirmed, but the California-based grocer says it expects to open the store sometime in 2024. The new outpost will be just the second in Pinellas County, and the the fifth in the Tampa Bay region. Currently, the company has stores in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota and most recently in Bradenton, which opened in October 2023.—Colin Wolf

ICYMI

• Copa, a Latin American restaurant and cocktail lounge at 1047 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg took to Instagram last week to announce its new rebrand and expansion. Its new Cafe Copa will open next door sometime next

month, slinging coffee, breakfast, lunch and grab n’ go options during the day and Copa’s signature cocktails at night. “The additional space will also provide expanded outdoor seating, a private space for events, and a lounge area for guests enjoying hookah & cocktails,” ownership writes on social media about Copa’s upcoming expansion.

• Popular cocktail bar Ciro’s has temporarily closed its doors at 2109 Bayshore Blvd. while renovations take place at the historic Bayshore Royal building. “We do not have a date for reopening but keep an eye out for updates because you never know where we might pop up…hint: hidden, but in plain sight,” Three Oaks Hospitality writes about its South Tampa cocktail lounge.

• St. Pete Rising recently reported that Dairy Inn’s former property at 1201 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. will soon be razed to make way for a handful of modern luxury townhomes. The beloved ice cream shop and snack stand quietly closed its doors in late 2023 after unfinished renovations left the once-orange building with a large, wraparound awning looking like a stripped down shack. The history of Dairy Inn dates back to 1947 when it first opened as a Dairy Queen, and the St. Pete mainstay was best known for its hand-dipped cones, malt milkshakes and cheap hot dogs.

OLD SCHOOL: Big John’s dates back to 1968, but moved to its current location in 2010.

RAY ROA

Green team: 4/20 events happening around Tampa Bay

Not everyone spends 4/20 getting stoned at home and sitting on the couch, and that’s obvious when you consider the seasonal events happening in April. We’ve started compiling 4/40 events around Tampa Bay and have a few to share below. From casinos to art shows and concerts, we’re betting that more of these will pop up over the next few weeks. Don’t see yours? Submit it to the events calendar at cltampa.com and email rroa@cltampa.com to let us know.

4-20 Smoke & Mirrors Fundraiser

The Mad Monk art collective is working to become a nonprofit, it’s hosting a daytime 4-20 market with bands, munchies, vendors, artists, an art raffe and scavenger hunt. The party turns up after the sun does down with DJs and lasers from a company that’s done lights at Epcot Italy, Bonnaroo and more. Saturday, April 20, 3 p.m. $40 & up. The Graffiti Gallery. 2634 Emerson Ave. S, St. Petersburg. themadmonk.art

420 Wonderland+Canna Casino I’ve been working on my “Rockstar” 250 mg THC gummy ring from Bliss for a full week. The wellness market is always popping up at festivals across Tampa Bay, and for the holiday it turns the Dale Mabry Highway location into a Mad Hatter casino (for entertainment only) complete with hold ‘em, blackjack, roulette, plus raffles, munchies, samples,

live music, tarot and more. blisswellnessmarket.com. Saturday, April 20. 2 p.m.-7 p.m. No cover with RSVP. Bliss Wellness Market. 13721 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa.

Secret Stash Party w/DJ Donnie Luv There are a lot of things not allowed at Shuffle, including dogs and smoking weed. Still, the six-year-old Tampa Heights neighborhood bar and sports emporium is hosting an homage to everyone’s “secret stash.” Soundtracking the festivities is DJ Donnie Luv (pictured), founder of St. Pete’s Official 7/27 Day and member of the Bay area’s Slugged Sounds rap and producer collective. Saturday, April 20. 4:20 p.m. Shuffle, 2612 Tampa St., Tampa. @tampashuffle on Facebook

St. Pete Opera: Bella Voce Party Like

It’s the 1960s St. Pete Opera’s biggest fundraiser of the year, Bella Voce, happens on 4/20 this year, and while there are no guarantees on whether or not you’ll be ejected to sparking one up at the Morean Center for Clay, the company is putting on what it calls its “Grooviest Gala Ever” featuring “a kaleidoscopic mix of 60s memories.” Tickets include appetizers, two entrees, full bar and a goodie bag (VIP gets even more) Saturday, April 20. 6 p.m. $150 & up. Morean Center for Clay, 420 22nd Ave. S, St. Petersburg. stpeteopera.org—Ray Roa

HAPPY HOUR AT AMSO

Monday - Friday, 4pm-7pm Saturday 3pm-6pm

DJ DONNIE LUV/YOUTUBE

DJ Donnie Luv

MOVIES THEATER ART CULTURE

Unapologetically here

New event creates space ‘for dykes and the people that love them.’

By Kyla Fields

When Lee and Rowan arrived back in St. Pete after attending a Dyke Night event in Portland last year, the couple knew that they needed to kick their desire to start a local version into hyperdrive. A few short months later the duo created the Dyke Night St. Pete Instagram and hosted the page’s debut, in-reallife, event last October. The casual “Leather Dyke” picnic at Maximo Park saw some people drive over an hour to attend.

With 2024 already in full swing, the newlyformed event series has big plans for a variety of trans-inclusive, lesbian-centered parties, laidback hangouts, trash cleanups, fundraisers and kink and leather-focused gatherings. But what makes Lee and Rowan’s project different from other local lesbian pop-ups and gay club “ladies nights” is the explicit and unapologetic nature of its mission and the language used to describe it. In the words of 32 year-old Lee—who like their partner Rowan, 30, chose not to disclose their last name for safety and privacy purposes—Dyke Night St. Pete is “by dykes, for dykes (and the people that love them).”

“It’s like saying, ‘This word is mine now and you don’t get to use it to hurt me.’ Both words are tied to a history that’s much bigger than just us.”

Riding off the success of their second event last month—a lovers-themed, Covid-cautious party with drag performances, mocktails, a set by Tampa’s DJ Jubilee, a photo booth and vendors— both Lee and Rowan are optimistic about the future of their new, community-focused venture. In addition to the couple’s trip to Portland last summer, there were many factors that inspired the creation of St. Pete’s own Dyke Night.

LOCAL NEWS

“The idea first came up about three or four years ago, and it was really a response to the pandemic and how it caused a lot of these welcoming spaces to close down, as well as witnessing all of these bigger cities across the country host their own dyke nights,” Rowan explains. “We wanted to tackle this sense of loneliness that the pandemic may have created and welcome the folks that have come out of it with a new sexuality or gender expression.”

CALLING

While leading LGBTQ media outlet pinknews. com says the term dyke is still “derogatory when used by people outside of the LGBT+ community” and GLAAD recommends that the media steer clear of the word (sorry, GLAAD), the once derogatory term has been widely reclaimed by sapphics and lesbians of all genders and orientations for the past several decades. It’s an ear-catching, and possibly a controversial word for some, but the existence of Dyke Nights across the country date back to the late-‘80s and early-‘90s—the same era when Dyke Marches were widely incorporated into Pride parades and its organizers pushed back against the anti-gay legislation of the time.

“I feel like there’s work to do in order to change the perception of what the word means within our community, because there are people who intentionally identify as a dyke because it doesn’t feel like any other word,” Lee, who uses the descriptor dyke over lesbian, tells Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.

“It’s pretty similar to the way that we’ve reclaimed the word ‘queer’ and are able to defy the people that use it in a pejorative way,” Rowan says in response to Lee.

“We’re not about policing who can come to these events, but we are going to be explicit about who this space is for,” Lee adds.

“I feel like a lot of the work to be done in the beginning of this project is just getting these people in a room together and breaking through that initial awkwardness.”

While both St. Pete and Tampa have been long regarded as LGBTQ-friendly areas with gayborhhods and some of the largest Pride parades in the state, there’s definitely not many lesbian-forward spaces within the plethora of gay bars and drag hotspots which largely cater to cis, white gay men. The only lesbian bar—not only in the greater Bay area, but the entire state of Florida—The Lady’s Room, quietly closed last year after a short, yet tumultuous time open.

Rowan worked there and tells CL that their experience at The Lady’s Room helped them realize that lesbians and gender nonconforming queers of all stripes were in dire need of a place to call their own. It also helped them recognize different ways to start bridging the generational gap between older and younger lesbians, an overarching feat that their own event series can help work towards.

“We understand that they grew up in a different time where it wasn’t OK to be openly gay, but at the same time that mindset applies to us who live in Florida now—like, we still feel the same way,” Lee says. “I think there’s sometimes a resistance to change for some of these people; a resistance to do or see things in a new way.”

Lee and Rowan have a robust calendar planned, including events like a Spring Fling dance, Earth Day trash cleanup, speed dating and matchmaking events, and outdoor activities. Expect more leatherdyke gatherings, too, since Lee runs a bondage and harness-making small business called Love Bites Leather. And with St. Pete’s annual Pride parade returning this summer, the duo hopes to organize a Dyke prom in June.

Socialization, solidarity and community building aren’t the only goals for Dyke Night’s organizers—they have fundraising and education on their minds, too. Rowan also runs an the @queerarchivefl Instagram for their Floridafocused history and documentation project and plans to host documentary screenings and other events surrounding LGBTQ history.

“I created Queer Archive Florida in response to the recent rise of aggressive anti-LGBTQ legislation, not just in our state but across the country. I want to battle the narrative that queer people have no history by documenting our events happening now, but also diving into the past to prove that we’ve always been here,” Rowan—who has a background in education and art history— explains. “It’s so important for us to have these historical touchstones to help feel more connected to this greater existence beyond just us.”

Despite the future of the newly-established queer event series having the potential to go wherever its organizers take it, two things will surely remain: its mission and the intentional language used to describe it.

“We specifically like and use the word ‘dyke’ because it does make people feel something. It’s important that we don’t water anything down or always feel like we have to be palatable,” Lee says. “There’s so many other cities that have had dyke nights for years so we’re definitely not reinventing the wheel, and we feel like it’s time to start building that kind of community here.”

C/O DYKE NIGHT ST. PETE

@dykenitestpete on Instagram

Re-bloom

St. Pete artist and choreographer celebrate spring’s arrival inside Studio@620.

By Jennifer Ring

Tuesday, March 19, marked the first day of spring. And it should be commemorated, not with a flip of the calendar or the washing of pollen off one’s car, but with beauty and art. Artist Rebekah Lazaridis and choreographer Alex Jones are here to remind us with the reprisal of their 2019 project “Bloom and Residue.”

At “Bloom and Residue” four years ago, Lazaridis transformed St. Petersburg’s The Studio@620 into a set for projectAlchemy to perform Igor Stravinsky’s ballet, “The Rite of Spring.” In the ground-breaking ballet, so disruptive it caused a riot at its 1913 premiere in Paris, pagans sacrifice a young woman to the gods of spring.

“I didn’t want to sacrifice a woman, so I created this movement based off cycle,” Jones told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “It was very literal to the words bloom and residue, like ‘What’s blooming for you?’ and ‘What do you leave behind?’”

For projectAlchemy’s 2019 performance, visitors walked through a maze of fabric panels to reach the studio’s center, where a 20-minute dance ensued. Beyond celebrating life cycles, the 2019 performance touched on the idea of small mortalities or losses.

“Not like you live and die, but like you get a job and then you get fired; things like that,” Jones added.

In a post-pandemic world, these small mortalities rest alongside much larger ones. Few of us are the same person we were in 2019. So when Rebecca Lazaridis came across what looked like a dead ball of brown moss in a witchy coven shop in Salem earlier this year, she knew she’d found her inspiration for Bloom and Residue Version 2.0.

That vegetation was a desert plant called the Rose of Jericho or Resurrection Plant. The tumbleweed-like mass doesn’t look like anything special, but submerge it in water and it magically rises from the dead, unfurling into a green, fern-like plant.

Lazaridis bought three of the tiny plants and brought them home to show Jones, who transformed the plant’s life and resurrection into a dance.

“When the Rose of Jericho is in its resting state, it’s all embraced or wrapped in itself, protecting its insides,” Jones told CL. “That’s the first section of movement, and the last section of movement, that you see as I think about what it’s like to rest and what it’s like to be embraced, to protect. Those are the verbs that I’m using.”

Words play heavily in Jones’s process. He wrote four pages of prose inspired by the plant’s resurrection before arriving on a short list of verbs and adjectives to base his choreography on.

The opening of the Resurrection Plant made Jones think about the women in his life.

“If you watch a time-lapse of a Rose of Jericho, it’s birthing,” says Jones, “and birthing is not some smooth thing that just pops out or slides out—there’s tears, there’s rips. I wanted to capture that using those verbs and adjectives, and I created a solo for one of our dancers.”

This birthing dance is the center of this year’s “Bloom and Residue.”

Then there’s life and movement and then rest as the plant returns to its dormant state.

Jones worked on his choreography upstairs while Lazaridis set the scene downstairs. Throughout the process, he went downstairs to see what she was working on and made changes based on what he saw.

“This time, it feels like Rebecca and I are embraced in this concept of the Rose of Jericho, and the movement dances with the movement that’s on the walls, and the wall illustrates the movement that you see in real time.”

This time, Lazaris has transformed the space into a forest.

“The Studio@620 can become anything,” Jones told CL. “The last ‘Bloom and Residue’ was all blacked out with four panels in the room. This one is a full mural that wraps around with

branches that hang from the ceiling—a forest of trees panels that you have to walk through to get to the space [where the dancing happens.]”

“In a way, Rebecca is a choreographer too,” Jones continues. “She’s choreographing how your body moves through the space.”

After living through their own pandemicforced transitions, 2024’s “Bloom and Residue” feels more personal to the artists, and perhaps to viewers as well.

“It’s been five years,” Lazaridis told CL. “We’re different people. We’ve all been through a pandemic, and so we wanted to examine this piece again, because we felt that it still had so much to say, it still had so much to offer.”

Jones and Lazaridis invite you to linger afterward, consider your personal transformations, and share how their work resonated with you.

“We call it an event, not a performance,” Jones told CL. “You come into the space, and you experience this thing, and then we hope you stay and have some rosé with us and talk about what happened or what came up for you.”

Like the first blossoms of spring, “Bloom and Residue” won’t be here forever. The event is here this weekend, and then it’s gone, a brief marking of time to celebrate the beginning of spring.

Tickets to “Bloom and Residue” 2024 happening inside Studio@620 in St. Petersburg from Thursday-Saturday, March 21-23 are still available and start at $15.

THINGS TO RESIDUE: Rebekah Lazaridis transforms The Studio@620 into a forest for spring.

C/O REBEKAH LAZARIDIS

Royal performance

Paul Potenza scores, while his Jobsite ensemble grabs you by the throat and won’t let go.

By Jon Palmer Claridge

From the long mane of red hair which falls in curls almost to her waist, to the lithe figure parading around the small Connemara cottage in her bra and slip in order to taunt her judgmental mother, it’s easy to see why Maureen (Katrina Stevenson) is “the beauty queen of Leenane”—even at age 40. But beneath the compelling surface is a bubbling cauldron of resentment.

Even as she teases her 70-year-old infirmed harridan of a mother Mag (Roxanne Fay) that women now have sexual agency to be “on top,” we learn that she’s a virgin and has only been kissed by just two men.

helpless invalid to deny her daughter a normal life while staying fiendishly sharp.

evocative of the time and place throughout the action, but chills your soul with a subtle, incessant harp from the rear of the audience as the play climaxes; it’s a brilliant touch.

THEATER

‘The Beauty Queen of Leanne’ Thursdays-Saturdays (7:30 p.m.) and Sundays (2 p.m.) through April 7. Dynamic pricing starts at $40. David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts’ Shimberg Theate. 1010 N Macinnes Pl., Tampa. jobsitetheater.org

What is the logical outcome of being emotionally trapped while mentally fragile? Stevenson gives us a Maureen for whom we feel empathy despite the mistrust, hesitation, resentment and malevolence of being Mag’s sole caregiver for the last 20 years filled with insults, threats and physical abuse.

Fay’s portrait pulls no punches. She manages to sculpt a full-bodied selfish, nasty, cantankerous woman. One who sells herself to all as a

David M. Jenkins (Pato) and Blake Smallen (Ray) shine as two brothers who serve to complicate the action. Jenkins also coached the consistent and authentic dialects and supervised the carefully wrought violence. As Pato, he inflames the loins of the desperate Maureen and counts on his brother Ray to deliver the impassioned letter that opens Act II and who provides welcome moments of comic relief embodying the stultifying boredom in this impoverished slice of pastoral Ireland.

Brian Smallheer’s rural cottage is tucked into a corner of the Shimberg. The plain stone walls sport long windows covered with Irish lace, which lighting designer, Jo Averill-Snell, uses to colorful theatrical effect at key moments, as well as isolating dramatic action to tighten the emotional grip on the audience. Stevenson is also responsible for the costumes which accurately reflect the rural economics as well as the character idiosyncrasies. Sound designer Jeremy Douglass delivers music

Logan Franke is credited with unspecified effects. Suffice it to say that whoever handled the unexpected and gasp-inducing climax is to be congratulated. We know from the careful development of tensions and Martin McDonagh’s introduction of props that we’re on a collision course with a dramatic moment. However, the effect upends our expectations.

Director Paul Potenza, who also helmed the two most recent productions of the trilogy, allows the quirky action to unfold simply without unnecessary embellishment. He smartly allows the dialogue and the plot’s many twists and turns to do the heavy work. The ensemble doesn’t push, even in the most outrageous moments. In the past, I’ve felt that Jobsite sometimes allowed performers to grow too big for the intimate Shimberg playhouse. Here, however, everything seems perfectly calibrated.

McDonagh’s play is very dark, at turns outrageously funny and then surprisingly cruel. He’s crafted a “well-made play” in the mold of Ibsen or Shaw, but it’s also wholly modern. He leaves bread crumbs in the dialogue for us to follow and introduces objects and/or details that drive the actions forward but he and the cast are so skilled that there are still twists around every corner right until the end. Even when you think you understand the dénouement, surprise is the watchword.

“The Beauty Queen” (1996) is the first of three plays in a Leenane trilogy and was initially

produced by Jobsite in 2003. They followed up with well-received productions of “The Lonesome West” (2013) and “A Skull in Connemara” (2017), but “Beauty Queen” was the show where playwright, Martin McDonagh, burst on the scene with Best Play nominations on both sides of the Atlantic.

McDonagh is most widely known to general audiences for his dark comedy-drama films which he both wrote and directed: In “Bruges” (2008) and “The Banshees of Inisherin” (2022).

All of his work combines morbid humor with surprising violence which grows from fast-paced dialogue that has audiences laughing out loud at one moment and gasping at what they’ve seen next. It’s quirky entertainment which is no surprise if you know that he’s been in a relationship with “Fleabag” (Prime) author-performer, Phoebe Waller-Bridge since 2017. If you’re drawn to off-center material, these are all worth pursuing to stream.

Mother-daughter angst is, of course, a dramatic staple—think Mommy Dearest, ‘night, Mother, or August Osage County to name a few. One English academic justifies these characters’ flaws by their being “denied the chance of escaping from the incestuous awfulness of Leenane.” They’re torn, especially Maureen, between dreams and despair. As Ray notes, “You can’t kick a cow in Leenane without some bastard holding a grudge for 20 years.” Jobsite has long proven an affinity for Irish playwrights, and especially for McDonagh’s work. Here, Potenza really scores and his acting ensemble grabs you by the throat and won’t let go.

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN: Katrina Stevenson (L) and Roxanne Fay.

#beerisyourfriend

By Josh Bradley & Ray Roa C CL Recommends

THU 21

Kelsy Karter & The Heroines Exactly 11 months following a killer opening set for Billy Idol’s gig at Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall, New Zealand-based singer-songwriter Kelsy Karter brings her punk-rock songbook and encouraging IDGAF attitude to Tampa. Maybe fans will get to hear about her next (temporary) face tattoo while stuffing their faces with those divine Hooch and Hive cheese curds. (Hooch and Hive, Tampa)

C My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult w/ Adult./Kanga For a large contingent of 40-and50 somethings, the band My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult harkens back to the days of killing time at Blue Chair in Ybor City, then catching the Chicago rock band play alongside oldschool acts like Death Ride 69 at The Masquerade—all before shutting it down at The Castle. That contingent will likely get sitters for this show, and while the neighborhood looks a little different (Orpheum is in North Tampa these days), the theatrics from Groovie Mann and Buzz McCoy will still, well, thrill. (Orpheum, Tampa)

Pat Metheny The jazz fusion guitar legend (one of the top Grammy Award winners of all time) is promoting his latest album Dream Box , which is more of a compilation of forgotten recordings than anything. The 69-year-old describes the record as a collection of “moments in time” that include random guitar licks, melodies, and even a handful of covers. You’ll probably hear a few tracks from the new release when he returns to downtown Clearwater for the first time in two years, but please, for shit’s sake, don’t heckle him. (Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater)

FRI 22

C Anthony Green w/Queen of Jeans Green is mainly sticking to a setlist that covers the solo side of his career (including a track or two from his triumphant latest album Boom. Done ). Expect to walk away inspired and a little misty-eyed, should the 41-yearold Circa Survive frontman talk about his past struggles with addiction and drug abuse, and his journey to recovery. (Orpheum, Tampa)

C The Florida Orchestra: ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ in concert With Sir Michael Gambon’s death last year, it’s definitely going to be a harsh few minutes hearing The Florida Orchestra play Nicholas Hooper’s “The Killing of Dumbledore” live as Professor Snape casts the killing curse against the Hogwarts headmaster (don’t you dare whine about spoilers—you’ve had almost 20 years to read this shit). But at the very least, you get to dust off your robes and wand for a different purpose than wandering around Universal Studios or Tampa Bay

THU MAR. 21-THU MAR. 28

Comic Con. Oh, and don’t forget to raise that wand—or phone flashlight—at the end of the film, regardless of which house you rep. (Carol Morsani Hall at David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa)

C Lime Cordiale w/Windser The Leimbach brothers have said that their third album is in the works, but in the meantime, their band Lime Cordiale’s mellow new single “Pedestal” has a nice synth-and-guitar blend, and lyrics about envisioning a relationship with someone who couldn’t even say “hello” back to the narrator. Despite having toured the U.S. plenty of times, the boys’ stop in Ybor City—which kicks off a spring tour— marks their first time ever playing in Florida. And, while Largo may be on the other side of the Bay, let’s hope Lime Cordiale’s Aussieexclusive beer that shares a name with the city will be for sale somewhere at Crowbar come Friday night. (Crowbar, Ybor City)

Palomino Blond w/Pilot Jonezzz/The Don’t Belongs The dreamy, Miami-based rock outfit’s latest single “Machine” is loaded with grunge guitar tones and vocal parts from lead singer Carli Acosta go from lo-fi, to slightly reverbed, to hi-fi, just to stay there for the remaining four-and-a-half minutes of the track. Surely this stacked gig in Bradenton will serve as a well-deserved break from the Miami spring break crowds. (Oscura, Bradenton)

Spring Break Slaughter: Generation Underground w/Spiritual Chaos/Forest Ov The Witch/Send All “First Call” is a late night “WMNF 88.5 FM After Dark” program that runs midnight-3 a.m. on Wednesdays where it plays heavy, loud and underground music. In that context, this show basically happens during banker’s hours for listeners and First Call hosts who’ll bring local favorites like Send All to support fresh-faced New Jersey-based

headliner Generation Underground. And if you’re looking to have a full-on WMNF weekend, the nonprofit community radio station hosts its annual, massive record and CD sale on Saturday morning at the station’s HQ in between Ybor Heights and Seminole Heights. (Brass Mug, Tampa)

SAT 23

Amenorrhea w/Voidrium/Endurus/ Sacrilous/Medulla The median age for member of South Florida metal band Amenorrhea can’t be more than 25 years old, but the quartet keeps its aesthetic old school. The band’s December 2022 EP Carnage Cult channels all the best parts of Cannibal Corpse, Autopsy, Mythic, Entombed and Grave, and for this Ybor Heights show (one of two heavy gigs at Deviant Libation this week), Amenorrhea is joined by Tampa black metal group Voidrium and a trio of other local metal outfits. (Deviant Libation, Tampa)

Cole Swindell The 40-year-old country singer didn’t write his latest album Stereotype by himself, but it still went gold last year, and features songs that hit no. 1 on the country charts, including “She Had Me at Heads Carolina,” inspired by Jo Dee Messina’s “Heads Carolina, Tails California.” This isn’t the first time that Palm Harbor’s biggest weekend of the year has hosted a country darling as its main entertainment, previously having hosted Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, and the late Toby Keith. (Innisbrook Resort, Palm Harbor)

Jason Aldean If you can’t afford to get into Valspar this weekend, another country chart-topping star plays a charity event at the casino on the other side of the Bay area. Mr. “Big Green Tractor” will perform

Lime Cordiale

TIM SWALLOW

a set for the Arians Family Foundation, which helps kids in the court system due to abuse and neglect get any help they need. It’s for a good cause, yes, but tickets start at $250. Try that in a small town. (Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa)

C Taylor Dayne w/Tiffany The idea of a teen pop star doing a tour of malls is absurd in 2024, but Tiffany Darwish fulfilled that idea while she still could. Thanks to her “Good Life Shopping Mall Tour of ‘87,” the at-the-time 15-year-old drew in massive crowds, met Michael Jackson, and watched her debut, eponymous album knock George Michael’s Faith out of the Billboard 200’s no. 1 spot. The Cap in downtown Clearwater is no mall, but feel free to bet your entire life savings if Tiffany—now 52 years old and equipped with her latest album Shadows doesn’t perform “I Think We’re Alone Now” during her co-headlining gig with Taylor Dayne. (Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater)

C Turnover w/Mspaint/Drook Fifteen years into bandom, Virginia Beach rock outfit Turnover is still at it and on the road, this time in support of a late-2022 album, Myself In The Way. The quartet just released an album of remixes from the outing, but recent live videos find the fellas still leaning hard into the synth-driven, dance floorready sound of the original LP. Mspaint, which brings a harder edge to its just-asdanceable synth-punk opens the show in support of a new LP, Post- American , along with dreamy Richmond duo Drook. (Orpheum, Tampa)

continued from page 61

SUN 24

C Bring The Noise: A Tribute to Rage Against the Machine Ahead of next week’s Spring Beer Jam, a Rage Against the Machine tribute fronted by Dunedin rapper Jon Ditty takes over Dunedin Brewery’s Moon Tower venue—and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. The brewery’s been the object of affection for a vocal minority of residents who continue to call in noise complaints, but last week, the city manager issued a memo that supporters of the local music scene basically called a win. “This effectively secures nightlife and amplified music after 11 p.m., so long as it is inside the building and does not exceed 65 decibels at the property line,” Michael Lyn Bryant, general manager at Dunedin Brewery, wrote. (The Moon Tower, Dunedin)

Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam w/The Jimmy Hall Band Mason has worked with members of the Beatles, Michael Jackson, and Jimi Hendrix, just to name a few. The 77-year-old Traffic guitar whiz is also about to outshine the hell out of Mike Love’s iteration of The Beach Boys, who he’s playing a few dates with this summer. But his two “Traffic Jam” gigs in downtown Clearwater this weekend will feature a healthy mix of hits and deep cuts from the celebrated ‘60s psych-rock band that once featured Steve Winwood. Jimmy Hall—who at one point sang leads for Southern rock outfit Wet Willie—opens both nights. (Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater)

C Ministry w/Gary Numan/Front Line Assembly Last year at the Tampa stop of Rob Zombie’s “Freaks On Parade” tour,

Ministry—which opened Alice Cooper’s co-headlining set the same night—flashed Donald Trump’s brand-new mugshot across the screens at the ol’ Gary while playing “Thieves” and “Goddamn White Trash.” Frontman Al Jourgensen recently stated in an interview that the band’s brand-new album Hopiumforthemasses (stylized in all-caps) will be its penultimate record, with one more down the line before Jourgensen shifts his focus towards doing film scores, and less on losing focus on a crowd during gigs, when in actuality, he’s trying to ensure that his monitors sound OK. The gig on First Avenue also marks Gary Numan’s first show in Tampa Bay since 1998, when he played the old State Theatre (now The Floridian Social) a few blocks down the street. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)

Seth Walker w/Jack Barksdale Are you open? Because the Americana singer-songwriter brings his nearly 30-year-old bluesy songbook and more to Safety Harbor to cap up the weekend. Texas folk singer-songwriter Jack Barksdale opens. (Safety Harbor Art and Music Center, Safety Harbor)

C Trsh w/Not/Better Place/Penny

Fountain Emo Night Tampa obviously doesn’t pop up into St. Petersburg very often, but this lineup would more than fit the bill. Orlando trio Monarch plays songs that recall the glory days of early-2000s Piebald (“Without A Name”), while Better Place channels Motion City Soundtrack, and Tampa’s own Penny Fountain marries the worlds of ‘90s grunge and pop-punk like My Chemical Romance. Missouri band Trsh brings the sounds of Midwestern emo to the headlining slot. (Bayboro Brewing Co., St. Petersburg)

MON 25

C Joe Satriani & Steve Vai We’re not even a quarter through 2024 yet, and we’ve had a damn good lineup of shred guitar legends roll into town. Zakk Wylde has been here twice so far (once with his Black Sabbath tribute band, and again with Pantera), and Joe Bonamassa appears at The BayCare Sound the night before this doubleheader gig goes down. Satriani’s friendship with Vai began 50 years ago, when he began giving guitar lessons to the future Zappa band legend. Before the month is out, the two are scheduled to release a six-minute track entitled “The Sea of Emotion, Pt. 1” on YouTube, serving as the first time they have collaborated in the studio, oddly enough. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)

TUE 26

C Faye Webster w/Upchuck When the dust settles on this already wonderful year of music, Faye Webster’s Underdressed at the Symphony will still be playing from the top of 2024 best of lists. Driven by the 26-yearold songwriter’s effortless, delicate croon, the 36 minutes on the album—dressed up in bells (“Thinking About You”), indie balladry (“Lifetime”) and a healthy dose of all-too-relatable self-awareness (“Wanna Quit All the Time”)—represent the best collection of songs to come out of the year so far. Webster, who landed on Barack Obama’s year-end playlist in 2020, plays her second

biggest Bay area crowd to date (she was at since-shutdown Innings Festival in 2023) after Upchuck opens the first show of a world tour that won’t wrap until October. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)

Juanes It’s going to be a big year for Juanes. The Colombian songwriter recently announced plans to reunite with Nelly Furtado for a new song called “Gala Y Dalí,” and he even has one of his homes on Airbnb (because what else was the 51-year-old gonna do with it while he was on tour?). Popular demand forced him to add a second show to his stay at Tampa’s local casino, which kicks off Tuesday. (Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa)

WED 27

C Caleb Caudle w/Van Plating On his latest album Forsythia , Caudle digs deep into who he is and hopes to be. According to a bio, the record “meets anticipation for the unknown future with nostalgia for the past, and reconciles both with meditation in the present.” The Nashville songwriter also had a lot of help from session musicians Jerry Douglas and Sam Bush, along with production from John Carter Cash. The 37-year-old also just released a new EP earlier this month, featuring tracks from a 2022 gig at Cash Cabin played with his friend Alex McKinney, who died of tongue cancer, despite a tobacco-free lifestyle last year. (Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa)

Sleepytime Gorilla Museum w/Faun Fables/Indorphine/Flagman In glorious times, indeed. After a 13-year hiatus and a wildly successful Kickstarter fundraiser, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum has finally returned to the light with a brand-new album (Of the Last Human Being ), a genuinely haunting collection featuring songs about death, extinction, and even a five-minute long instrumental that could have easily served as inspiration for James Kirby’s The Caretaker project (inspired by older recordings that are seen as spooky now). Must know more? The experimental rock outfit’s reunion tour—with support from jack-of-alltrades band member Nils Frykdahl’s side project Faun Fables, as well as Indorphine and Flagman—tackles all four of its albums at Orpheum this week, at its first-ever Tampa proper gig, and its first time back in the Bay area since a 2009 gig at St. Pete’s State Theatre. (Orpheum, Tampa)

THU 28

C Brent Cobb There are a lot of bad actors purporting to bring the spirit of the South to Americana. While the 37-year-old has written for the likes of Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town, Brent Cobb is not one of them. On a 2022 album, And Now, Let’s Turn To Page…, Cobb—cousin to famed producer Dave Cobb—pays homage to Southern gospel and shows off his influences on an original called “When It’s My Time.” Last year on Southern Star, his honeyed vocal and songwritng wracked up critical praise from tastemaking publications like No Depression and Rolling Stone which lauded Cobb’s position among modern music’s best. (Orpheum, Tampa)

Faye Webster

MICHAEL TYRONE

DELANEY

WUSF PRESENTS THE LONGEST TABLE

WUSF’S Longest Table will be held on Thursday, April 4th. Please mark your calendars for our rain date, Friday, April 5th.

Details available online at wusflongesttable.org or by calling (800) 741-9090.

A new music festival is bringing sounds of the late-’90s and early-2000s to the St. Petersburg waterfront.

Next, a Minnesota trio best known for its no. 1, Kurtis Blow-sampling, single “Too Close,” plus other hits like “Wifey,” is headliner for Rhythm N’ BayFest, which also features “No Letting Go” reggae songwriter Wayne Wonder and Adina Howard (“Freak Like Me”). More dancehall is on the bill courtesy of Tanto Metro and Devonte (“Everyone Falls In Love”), while Sunshine Anderson and Rupee round out the bill.

The festival is organized by iHeart’s WTBV

The Vibe 101.5-FM in conjunction with the City of St. Petersburg, and a press release said it benefits iCare About Me. The nonprofit helps organize hip-hop study hall, which engages young learners through hands-on exploration of careers in the hip hop industry.

While radio at large is moving away from the loaded U-word, the festival is billed

The Menzingers w/Lucero/The Dirty Nil

Sunday, June 16. 7:30 p.m. $33. The Ritz, Ybor City

The Garden w/The Spits Wednesday, June 19. 8 p.m. $32.50 & up. The Ritz, Ybor City

Frankie and the Witch Fingers w/Kairos Creature Club Thursday, June 6. 7 p.m. $20. Crowbar, Ybor City

Jmsn w/TBA Thursday, June 27. 9 p.m. $20. Crowbar, Ybor City

KC & The Sunshine Band Sunday, July 7. 8 p.m. $75 & up. Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa

Diiv Tuesday, July 23. 7 p.m. $32. Orpheum, Tampa

Sad Summer Fest: Mayday Parade w/ The Maine/The Wonder Years/We the

as “a vibrant celebration of the Bay Area’s urban culture,” and did good by planting a flag at Spa Beach. The green space there has been home to St. Pete’s popular Rise Up concert series, and the once-segregated beach was a place for powerful protests and lawsuits against Jim Crow laws.

"Guests can immerse themselves in the laidback atmosphere and bask in the soulful spirit of downtown St. Pete while enjoying delectable food, refreshing drinks, exciting games, and much more,” the release added.

“Bringing together the community in a spirit of unity and creativity, Rhythm N’ BAYFest promises to be one part family reunion and one part music festival.”

Tickets to Rhythm N’ BayFest (stylized “Rhythm N’ BAYFest”) happening Saturday, April 6 on Spa Beach at the St. Petersburg Pier are $60 and available now. See Josh Bradley’s weekly roundup of new concerts coming to Tampa Bay below.—Ray Roa

Kings/Real Friends/Knuckle Puck/ Hot Milk/Daisy Grenade/Diva Bleach Saturday, July 27. 2 p.m. $54.50. The Sound, Clearwater

As I Lay Dying w/Chelsea Grin/Entheos Wednesday, July 31. 7 p.m. $32.50. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Front 242 w/Kontravoid Friday, Sept. 6. 7 p.m. $40. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Homeshake w/Freak Heat Waves Friday, Oct. 11. 7 p.m. $23. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

Parmalee Thursday, Nov. 7. 8 p.m. $50 & up. Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa

Kacey Musgraves w/Lord Huron/Nickel Creek Friday, Nov. 29. 7:30 p.m. $35.75 & up. Amalie Arena, Tampa

THEGROUPNEXT/FACEBOOK

Dead to me

By Caroline DeBruhl

Dear Oracle, I came out as genderqueer/ NB 14 years ago. I legally changed my name 10 years ago. I started working for my boss (white, straight boomer man) six years ago. He has NEVER known me by my deadname but knows it because we once discussed a very famous artist, and I mentioned that my parents had named me after them. Every once in a while, he’ll use my deadname in an email or text, and I have told him how shitty it makes me feel and to please not. But he keeps doing it! We work in a VERY niche industry, and I am paid exceptionally well for a job I genuinely love, and I do see him reading books about understanding Trans lives, so, IDK, I guess he’s trying? But every time he deadnames me, I feel like I’m sucker punched. What do I do with this boomer?—Say my (correct) name

Cards: Five of Wands, Ten of Swords (reversed), Knight of Wands, Page of Swords (reversed)

Dear Name, I’m so sorry this is happening to you. If your boss had met you when you were going by your deadname, I could see that he might be making an honest mistake, especially since it doesn’t seem to happen all the time.

But he didn’t! It’s fucking weird that he uses it and even weirder to me that he only uses it while writing. (Like, he has to LOOK at that wrong name in print.)

It is hard to know if he’s doing so to be aggressive or if he thinks it puts him in a secret little club with you. With the Ten of Swords, he is cutting you down, either from fear, transphobia, or general ignorance. You have told him not to use it, so it’s hard to imagine that he doesn’t know the effect it has on you. But, he may be the bold, brash, and butt-headed Page of Swords, who acts without thinking and fancies themselves “an intellectual” and someone who prizes “freedom.”

As the Knight of Wands, you are more conscious than he is—though you also have more to lose. The Five of Wands is an unpassable conflict, and as the Knight of Wands, you could be the one to bridge the divide. That might look like giving him more books to read (which he seems open to) or guiding him with a more firm hand to the conclusion that he needs to cut that shit out.

Wands, the battle is in your court. If you want to bridge this, you can. You just have to decide if this battle is worth the fight and pain that comes with it.

Dear Oracle, I am bisexual and have known for years. I have come out to my partner and friends but not my parents. I’m in a long-term straight-passing relationship, so it feels almost moot. But should I still come out to them?—Half of the closet

Cards: Nine of Pentacles (reversed), Last Quarter, The Lovers (reversed), The Full Moon

Dear Half, this is an interesting question with interesting cards because you ask if you “should” come out but make no mention of if you want to.

ORACLE OF YBOR

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

You mentioned you love your job, and it’s a small industry, so I don’t know what quitting would look like for you. It is an option, even if it’s far less than ideal.

Both options—quit or try to educate the motherfuck —are going to cause you strain and sorrow. What you have to decide is which pain you want to tolerate. As the Knight of

With the Nine of Pentacles and The Lovers reversed, I’d say that you’ve spent many years growing to understand yourself, to love yourself, and to both feel and intellectualize your identity. In short, you know who you are. You know the full picture. The question is now: Do you want your parents to know it, too?

Some members of the Queer community believe in the Harvey Milk approach, the “come out, come out wherever you are.” Others feel like it should be on a case-by-case basis (for example, yes to friends and family and no to your boss). I think it can feel like a profound gift to truly

know someone and to have them know you, but not everyone is deserving of that present.

The two moon cards in my deck (Uusi’s Pagan Otherworlds) offer a complex picture. With the clarity and releasing energy of the Full Moon, I’d suggest examining why you haven’t come out to your parents yet. Is it fear? Internalized biphobia? It just never came up? Can those blockages be released?

In a way, it doesn’t matter if you come out to them or not. You know who you are, and accept and love yourself. But the Last Quarter card is also about letting fate take you to unexpected places and connecting to something bigger. This could mean that by coming out to your parents, they will know a deeper part of you and lead to a deeper connection.

Or.

It might not have anything to do with them. You mention that it may be a “moot point” since you’re in a “straight passing relationship,” which makes me wonder if you have any connection to a queer community. This card could be about connecting to a community and feeling a part of it. Just because strangers might mistake you for straight doesn’t mean you are, and that self-love may deepen if you get to be around more people like you.

Regardless of your decision, I hope you feel like you get to live authentically. Whatever blockages need to be released, whatever path this moon sends you down, I hope your love for yourself grows, and you do find connection someway, somehow in this wild world.

Find more of Caroline and book her services via carollinedebruhl.com.

Power moves

By Dan Savage

I have a history of dating men I’m not attracted to physically or emotionally. I always found it weirdly comforting to know my boyfriend was obsessed with me while I had minimal feelings for him. I have explored this in therapy and chalk it up to lack of self-confidence. But a month ago I started hanging out with this guy and it’s the first relationship I’ve been in that isn’t one-sided. It’s also the first relationship I’ve been in where the guy wasn’t pushing me to “define the relationship” after a month. This has led to me feeling quite vulnerable and afraid. For the first time in a long time, I’m dating a guy that I not only like but find very attractive and now I’m terrified it will end. This fear has led me to keep my feelings to myself. In previous relationships where I was the one with the upper hand, I found it easier to speak up because I felt in control and didn’t really care if it ended. I am now in a place where I’m afraid to speak for fear of saying the wrong thing. I want to know what his intentions are, but I don’t want to place undue pressure on him either. I’m craving more validation than I’m getting from him because I got used to being smothered with validation in all my previous relationships, but I don’t know how to bring this up without making it seem like I am trying to DTR. Any advice?—Naked And Afraid

some good—you’re currently dating someone you’re attracted to and for the first time experiencing feelings most human experience when we meet someone we like—and if that shallow pseudo-epiphany you had in therapy (“I lack self-confidence!”) helped you make different and better choices, NAA, then it did you some good. But I think you have more to unpack, perhaps with a different therapist.

SAVAGE LOVE

Zooming out for a second: Lots of us have been there. We were dating someone we could take or leave and realized that person was falling in love with us. When that happens—when someone we could take or leave is a lot more invested in the relationship and wants to have those DTR convos—we need to end things as quickly and considerately as possible. But if we only date people we could take or leave, one after another, then we’re leading people on and, even worse, we’re stealing from them. We’re stealing time and energy they could’ve invested in finding a person who cared about them and wanted to take them. A good person doesn’t do that sort of shit—not to people they care about, not to people they don’t care about, not to anyone.

strange. My boyfriend told me to think of it as a bequest—he’s making bequests in his will to 50 or so people after he dies—but the thought of him asking for her permission to give this gift to her without first asking me makes me uncomfortable. It makes me wonder how long he was fantasizing about giving her this gift and why exactly he wants to give it to her so badly. I need a second opinion here.—Girlfriendly Instinct Flagging This

This man is not your husband, he’s your boyfriend; his millions are not your millions, they’re his millions. I can certainly see why thinking about this gift makes you uncomfortable, GIFT, but I don’t see an upside for you in trying to talk your boyfriend out of giving his personal trainer a gift he’s already promised her. The only leverage you have over him is the threat of a breakup, GIFT, but where will issuing that threat get you? Best-case scenario, your boyfriend rescinds the offer but resents you and your personal trainer, who you consider a friend, feels jerked around by both of you and distances herself; worst-case scenario, you wind up single and written out of the will—assuming you’re among the fortunate 50 or so—and your personal trainer gets that expensive piece of jewelry and possibly more.

While personal trainers sometimes ingratiate themselves to clients by engaging in a little harmless flirtation, very few personal trainers actually wanna fuck their clients—especially their elderly and/or monogamously partnered clients—and vastly fewer actually do fuck their clients. And based on what you shared about that gift-block convo you had with your personal trainer, GIFT, it doesn’t sound she’s interested in your boyfriend sexually, gift or no gift. So, while your boyfriend may get a little thrill out of giving this woman a piece of jewelry, she almost certainly regards this gift—a gift that, again, was already promised to her—as a very generous tip from a very well-off client that she doesn’t wanna see naked.

I wouldn’t chalk up the choices you’ve made in the past—only dating men you weren’t attracted to, only dating men you could take or leave, only dating men you held in what sounds like contempt—to a lack of self-confidence. Frankly, I’m a little mystified that your therapist endorsed that interpretation. You either had one of those therapists who thinks it’s their job to help clients construct self-serving rationalizations for their shitty behavior—explanations that center their clients as victims—or you came up with that rationalization on your own and your therapist never got around to challenging you on it. So, I’m going to challenge you.

I don’t think you have self-confidence issues, NAA, I think you have control issues. You only dated men you didn’t care about—you only dated men you weren’t attracted to physically or emotionally—because you wanted to have “the upper hand.” You wanted all the power, all the leverage, and all the control. You not only dated only men you could take or leave, NAA, you seemed to go out of your way to find men who couldn’t leave you. That is not the weak-ass move of a person who lacks selfconfidence, NAA, that’s a cold-hearted power play executed by a control freak. I’m glad you got into therapy and it seems to have done you

Alright, NAA, what’s going to happen to this new guy? It’s only been a month, so you don’t know him that well, and most new relationships peter out after a month or two. So, there actually isn’t that much at stake here, at least not yet. Most of what you have is hope: you like this guy and you’re hoping you continue to like him as you get to know him better and you’re hoping he likes you too. But if it doesn’t go anywhere—if you have that DTR convo a month or two from now and you learn he’s not as into you as you are him—you may wind up with a broken heart. But getting your heart broken is proof you have one.

Whatever happens, NAA, don’t return to your old, shitty, and heartless modus operandi. It wasn’t good for the men you dated, and it wasn’t good for you either. Being open to love means being open to pain. You’re open now. Stay open. It’s better this way. You’re better this way.

My boyfriend, who is a 72-year-old man, wants to gift our personal trainer, who is younger and hotter than me, an expensive piece of jewelry. I felt jealous and insecure when he brought this up and I voiced my concerns to her. She told me that she sees the gift as a token of friendship and nothing more and then added that, as her friend, I should want what’s best for her. My boyfriend is a multimillionaire many times over and maybe I don’t understand how rich people give gifts, as I’m not “from” money, but it seems

If I may, GIFT, I’d like to address the elephant in the room/question/gym: you’re worried your boyfriend is only making this gesture—he’s only giving this woman this extravagant gift—because he wants to fuck her. I can confidently assure you that your boyfriend absolutely, positively, without a doubt wants to fuck his personal trainer. Because no one in the long, sordid history of personal trainers has ever hired a personal trainer they didn’t wanna fuck. But just because someone wants to fuck their personal trainer doesn’t mean they would fuck their personal trainer. Your boyfriend can wanna fuck his personal trainer and give her a gift that essentially says, “I would if I could,” and still wanna honor the monogamous commitment he’s (presumably) made to you. While legitimately concerning, these two things—your boyfriend signaling to someone else that he would fuck them if he could and your boyfriend remaining faithful to you—are not mutually exclusive.

My GF and I are great in the sack together— and the floor, and the stairs, and the lawn, and the tent, and the fireside—and it feels like we’ve been doing this all our lives, since the moment we took our first breath, and by the time we finally drift off we’re tranced out in a post orgasmic love bubble of such cosmic-eternal elasticity it feels as though our connection has no beginning and no end. The other night in the shower she said I have a “Rolls Royce cock.” Can I put that on my anonymous Feeld profile with her permission? I mean, she’s right. But I feel a bit weird bragging about my own dick like this. Partly because for many years I had what we might kindly refer to as a rapid climax problem.

Now that I’ve gotten a little older, those days are behind me, and everything is coming together. So, can I put “Rolls Royce Cock” in my Feeld profile? I got as far as typing it in but then I thought, ugh, seems a bit selfinvolved. What do you think?—Rapturously Received Compliment

There are places a man shouldn’t brag about his cock—on Zoom calls, on international flights, on main—but a man can brag about his cock on his anonymous Feeld profile. Go for it.

Got problems? Yes, you do. Send your question to mailbox@savage.love! Podcasts, columns and more at Savage.Love.

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ACROSS

1 Bubbly relaxer

4 Majestic

9 Pinnacle

13 Complicated predicament

19 An LBJ beagle

20 Hotpoint rival

21 Mao’s P.M.

22 Not in any key

23 Bivouac?

26 Tricky question

27 Early alphabet

28 Request of a sort

29 Nile goddess

31 “M” portrayer Bernard

32 The general’s favorite flowers?

36 Some enlistees, briefly

38 Be witty

39 Be bratty

40 Range of knowledge

41 Only things on base that are more uncomfortable than bunk beds?

45 Chan portrayer

47 Start of an island

48 Multi-headed monster

49 Good news for hungry soldiers?

55 Calf ID

56 TNT’s ending

57 Mild oath

58 Hugo hero

61 Finger feature

64 Art-rocker Brian

65 Almanac datum

69 Army discharge?

73 News from the governor

74 Historical time

75 Improve

76 Bilingüismo subject

77 Society newbies

79 1960s Pontiac

81 Whirling, to a poet

82 The real singers of “Wake Up, Little Susie”?

90 Whisky’s Walker

91 Arctic explorer John, or a certain organ backward

92 Violinist Mischa

93 Overreaction to army food?

97 Cruet content

98 “Outta here,” as a well-hit ball

102 Dixit preceder

103 Skull Island find in a 1933 film

104 With 115 Across, song from a WAC musical?

107 Spring time

108 Hat part

110 Israeli airline

112 Has it ___ (holds a grudge against)

113 In a card catalog

115 See 104 Across

120 Instigate

121 Mrs. Victor Laszlo

122 Kate’s pal

123 Corn container

124 Daisylike flowers

125 Prof. Xavier-vs.Magneto film of 2000

126 Bypasses

127 Extreme part

DOWN

1 Music marks

2 Singer Clark

3 Relatives of rings

4 Midnight Cowboy role

5 Type widths

6 Moo goo ___ pan

7 Dict. abbr.

8 Preminger classic

9 Play’s end, perhaps

10 Midwestern tribe

11 Pasture sound

12 Maria Shriver’s mom

13 Husband, in Le Havre

14 Mayberry’s self-incarcerator

15 Casting need

16 “Live ___”

17 It comes with a price

18 Icy rains

24 Takes home

25 Kin of dep.

30 Wind dir.

33 The Sooner St.

34 Trim

35 Belly-button type

37 Oslo inlet

38 Lightsaber wielder

42 That guy’s

43 Electromagnetic particles

44 Na or Cl, e.g.

45 “That’s an ___!”

46 Clinton Cabinet member Shalala

49 Feature

50 Turkish candy

51 “Have fun!”

52 Under, to poets

53 “Twas ___ was born” (Shak.)

54 Lake rental

55 Certain undies

59 Military school

60 Israeli desert

62 Judge Lance

63 Actress Jessica

65 Stop’s partner

66 Jazz pianist McCoy

67 Medicinal plants

68 Blab

70 Nixon crony Rebozo

71 Refrain from bothering

72 Pitcher Warren

78 Car alarm?

80 Synthetic fiber

82 Metaphorical marker of family authority

83 Small tantrum

84 Gaelic

85 College cheer

86 Generous giving

87 Oahu memento

88 Leave out

89 Shower powder

93 ChampagneO.J. drink

94 Go to Stowe

95 Old western star

96 Hebrew month

98 Ibsen character

99 The Presidency, for example

100 Pindit Peggy

101 Assignment of a sort

105 Korbut et al.

106 Ceremonies

108 Become hazy

109 Agents, briefly

111 Incline

114 Anger

116 Freddy Krueger’s street

117 Antlered critter

118 Cosell’s longtime foil

119 Stinging quality