Creative Loafing Tampa — April 27, 2023

PUBLISHER James Howard

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ray Roa

DIGITAL EDITOR Colin Wolf

MANAGING EDITOR Kyla Fields

FOOD and THEATER CRITIC

Jon Palmer Claridge

FILM & TV CRITIC John W. Allman

IN-HOUSE WITCH Caroline DeBruhl

CONTRIBUTORS Josh Bradley, Jenn Thai

PHOTOGRAPHERS Dave Decker

SPRING INTERN Tyana Rodgers

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CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jack Spatafora

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

MARKETING, PROMOTIONS AND EVENTS COORDINATOR Lauren Caplinger

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Tampa Bay's best things to do from April 27 - May 04

Lost in St. Pete Music & Arts Festival Two months after headlining Orpheum—and just a week after playing Coachella—Soul Glo is headed back to Tampa Bay. The rising star of Philadelphia hardcore is among headliners for the four-day Lost In St. Pete music and arts festival, happening this weekend at various venues scattered through downtown. Other Lost In St. Pete headliners coming to the Sunshine City include feminist punk band War on Women, Virgina hardcore favorite Strike Anywhere, soul-power-violence hybrid Zulu, Fat Mike’s new band Codefendants, plus Tampa rappers Famous Kid Brick and Big Baby Scumbag. All told, upwards of 200 bands are on the poster for the four-day festival happening in various venues like Floridian Social, Cage Brewing and the Lost HQ in the Warehouse District. Lost in St. Pete happens each year, but 2023’s installation of the multicultural music and arts festival is not one to miss. Thursday-Sunday, April 27-30. Various times and venues through downtown St. Pete. $20-$200. lostinstpete.org

Steve Martin & Martin Short Comedy legends Steve Martin and Martin Short return to Clearwater for another night of lighthearted, musical banter at their newest show, “You Won’t Believe What They Look Like Today!” Guests can expect Martin and Short to roast each other, in addition to jokes about Hollywood, being celebrities, and their three decade-long friendship. The two iconic actors will be joined on stage by pianist Jeff Babko and bluegrass band The Steep Canyon Rangers, for some musical respite in between Martin and Short’s comedic bits. The duo have been friends since they met on the set of the 1986 film “Three Amigos.” Tickets for this Friday’s iconic show have been sold out for months, but if you’re willing to spend some bread, Stubub is reselling tickets for about of $250. Friday, April 28. 8 p.m. Sold Out. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater. Rutheckerdhall.com

Gasparilla Music Festival

It’s hard to believe it’s already time for Tampa’s annual music and arts festival to make its way downtown again. Headliners for 2023’s GMF include hip hop legends Run the Jewels, electro-funk duo Chromeo and rock band Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, alongside dozens of Tampa Bay-based multi-genre acts. While Curtis Hixon Park will be the main hub for this year’s Gasparilla Music Festival, there will be additional stages throughout downtown Tampa. Kiley Gardens, which GMF has utilized since its inception, is not available to host any festival stages because of “water intrusion issues that have been identified through an exploratory evaluation.” Although there won’t be a Kids Fest at GMF 2023, this weekend’s festival is still family-friendly, as always. Saturday-Sunday, April 29-30. 1 p.m.-10 p.m. $50-$200. Curtis Hixon Park, 600 N Ashley Dr., Tampa. gasparillamusic.com

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Greetings from Florida Popular Tampa Bay breweries BarrieHaus Beer Co. and Green Bench Brewing Co. join forces to celebrate their love of crisp and clean lagers. The breweries host their second annual “Greetings from Florida” event this weekend, which will feature dozens of out-of-town breweries showcasing their best lagers, in addition to a variety of other fun activities. Tickets to the event include a commemorative glass and unlimited pours of 60+ lagers on tap. Guests are invited to wear their best Hawaiian shirts to give these out-of-town breweries their best Sunshine State welcome, too. Folks attending this weekend’s beer party can expect exclusive brews like Vienna-style lagers, German and Czechstyle pilsners and traditional Amber lagers alongside many, many more. Read more about Greetings from Florida on page 41. Saturday, April 29. 5 p.m. $65. Ybor City Museum State Park, 1818 E 9th Ave., Ybor City. greenbenchbrewing.com

37th Annual Green Thumb Festival Once again, the City of St. Petersburg hosts its annual Arbor Day celebration, which will feature over 120 garden, plant and flower vendors and exhibitors. This weekend-long event brings together flora and fauna lovers from all corners of Tampa Bay, and plans to offer kid-friendly activities that are fun for the entire family. In addition to a variety of garden-themed vendors, guests can enjoy a butterfly tent, free plant and seedling giveaways, a flower show, a garden wagon parade, decorating contest and a spread of local food trucks for when you inevitably become peckish. Educational booths covering a range of environmental topics—from plant, soil and water diagnostics to Green Thumb’s “Ask an Arborist” tent—will also be present at this weekend-long nature festival. Saturday-Sunday, April 29-30. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Walter Fuller Park, 7901 30th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Stpeteparksrec.org

Savannah Bananas’ Banana Ball World Tour If there was a Harlem Globetrotters of baseball it would most definitely be the Savannah Bananas, and the team makes its highly-anticipated stop in Tampa this weekend. If you’re wondering how a Georgia-based Coastal Plain League team has a robust worldwide fanbase, it’s most likely because they have more than 3.5 million followers on TikTok, and their inaugural 2022 tour was the subject of “Bananaland,” a documentary featured on ESPN+. The “Greatest show in sports” is a fast-paced version of baseball where the game is played in a two-hour time limit, there’s zero bunts or walks, fans can catch foul balls for outs, batters steal first base, and a one-on-one tiebreaker showdown decides tied games. In between all that, fans can expect an array of baseball-related shenanigans, like coordinated team dances and musical numbers, the Banana Nanas Dance Team and more. Friday-Saturday, April 28 & 29. 7 p.m. Sold Out. George Steinbrenner Field, 1 Steinbrenner Dr., Tampa. thesavannahbananas.com

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Stand up, fight back

Photos by Dave Decker

In response to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recent attacks on diversity programs and LGBTQ+ policies, over three hundred high schools and colleges across Florida participated in a planned walkout last week, including students and faculty here in Tampa.

Last Friday, April 21, students and teachers gathered outside of Hillsborough High School carrying signs and calling for the State of Florida to cease book bans, increase diversity initiatives, and end the recently expanded so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The walkout was organized by the Hillsborough High Schools Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Black Empowerment, Students Demand Action, and others.

Across town, a similar “Walkout 2 Learn” rally was happening at the Marshall Student

Center at the University of South Florida Tampa Campus, alongside progressive groups like the SEE Alliance, How We All Win, Dream Defenders, Equality Florida, and People Power Florida.Democratic Representatives Fentrice Driskell and Anna Eskamani were also in attendance.

“The overwhelming majority of Florida students, faculty, and community members reject these attacks on our education, livelihood, and safety,” said Stand For Florida in a prepared statement. “We understand that diversity is what makes our schools and nation strong, and in collaboration with the statewide Walkout to Learn, USF students will be rallying to unite against these infringements on our individual freedoms.”—Colin Wolf

POLITICS ISSUES OPINION

‘Racist at its core’

A bill to block higher-ed spending that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion advances in Tallahassee.

By Ryan Dailey, News Service of Florida

Ameasure that seeks to prevent colleges and universities from spending money on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives was ready to go before the full Senate last week amid strong objections from Democrats, with one Black senator calling the proposal “racist at its core.” The bill (SB 266) also has reignited a debate about academic freedom on campuses, in part because it could lead to changes related to general core courses.

The Republican-controlled Senate Fiscal Policy Committee approved the proposal last Thursday after an hours-long and at times tense debate. A similar House bill (HB 999) also is primed to go before the full House. Part of the Senate bill that has generated controversy would prevent schools from spending state or federal money “to promote, support, or maintain any programs or campus activities” that advocate for “diversity, equity, and inclusion, or promote or engage in political or social activism,” as defined by the State Board of Education or state the university system’s Board of Governors.

lists of DEI initiatives on each campus and costs associated with them. The bill approved last week would carry out a DeSantis proposal to end such spending. DeSantis said the programs would “wither on the vine.” But faculty members and other people on college and university campuses have fought the bill.

“We’re really concerned about this being a backlash about, really, a democratic, diverse society,” Candi Churchill, executive director of the United Faculty of Florida union, said during last Thursday’s meeting.

FLORIDA NEWS

Senate bill sponsor Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, argued that diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, initiatives, are discriminatory. “We want diverse viewpoints. We want fair treatment and full participation of all people, and an environment that examines ideas freely. The ideas of, maybe, why there have been inequalities in the past. But modern DEI initiatives, under the guise of social justice or critical theory, seek to increase representation of some groups through discrimination against members of other groups,” Grall said.

The push to eliminate DEI programs in higher education has been a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis during the legislative session. DeSantis’ administration this year also directed colleges and universities to provide

Democrats also criticized part of the bill that deals with general core courses. The State Board of Education, which oversees state colleges, and the universities’ Board of Governors would be required to appoint faculty committees that would review core course options. Those reviews could lead to the “removal, alignment, realignment, or addition” of courses based on various criteria.One requirement would be that core courses could not teach “identity politics,” or be “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.”

Grall faced questions from Democrats about the proposed prohibition on instruction about systemic racism. Sen. Geraldine Thompson, D-Windermere, said the University of Florida, for example, “for 100 years had no African American students.”

“Would you believe that it was happenstance that there were no African American students? Or could that be attributed to systemic racism?” Thompson asked.

“I don’t believe that the things in our history are necessarily happenstance,” Grall replied. “This bill does not seek to erase a history of racism that has existed during certain parts

of our history, or any other persecution of any group across the globe … What it does is, it says that we are not going to present one point of view with regard to all of the institutions of the United States.”

Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-Miami Gardens, became emotional as he argued against the bill. “I don’t care what you can say that this policy does and does not do, the crux of this policy and a lot of the policies that we’re passing is racist at its core,” Jones said.

The wide-ranging measure also seeks to make changes such as giving university presidents ultimate authority over hiring decisions at their schools. As the legislation has moved through the process, it also has spurred objections from academics outside of Florida.

Irene Mulvey, president of the Washington, D.C.-based American Association of University Professors, spoke against the bill during the meeting. Mulvey said higher education is organized around a “framework based on academic freedom and shared governance”— and characterized the bill as a threat to its foundation.

“By dismantling this framework that underlies American higher ed, and so brazenly undermining the role of faculty, SB 266 will lead to diminished educational quality. And this will show up before you know it in measurable ways. In faculty leaving, in rankings, in accreditation, in applications, in enrollment and donations,” said Mulvey, who is a professor of mathematics at Fairfield University in Connecticut.

DRAWING A LINE: Bill sponsor Erin Grall says she wants “diverse viewpoints”—but not DEI programs.

“By dismantling this framework that underlies American higher ed...SB 266 will lead to diminished educational quality.”

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It gets easier

Governor DeSantis lowers death penalty threshold

By Jim Saunders, News Service of Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis last week signed a bill eliminating a requirement for unanimous jury recommendations before judges can impose death sentences. The new law took effect immediately last Thursday and represents a major change in Florida’s death-penalty system. Lawmakers moved forward with the issue after Nikolas Cruz was sentenced to life in prison last year in the 2018 shooting deaths of 17 students and faculty members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The life sentence came after a jury did not unanimously recommend death.

The change affects only the sentencing process and not what is known as the “guilt phase” of murder cases. Juries will still have to be unanimous in finding defendants guilty before sentencing could begin.

the proposed change and pointed to a history of Florida Death Row inmates being exonerated after evidence emerged in their cases.

Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, said last month that “unanimity is the right balance when death is the final penalty.” “It’s hard to reverse an execution, and I think the current state of the law is sufficient,” Rouson said.

The Senate voted 29-10 on March 30 to approve the bill. The House followed suit two weeks ago by passing it in an 80-30 vote. Florida long allowed judges to impose death sentences based on majority jury recommendations. But that changed after decisions in 2016 by the U.S. Supreme Court and the Florida Supreme Court.

FLORIDA NEWS

“Once a defendant in a capital case is found guilty by a unanimous jury, one juror should not be able to veto a capital sentence,” DeSantis said in a prepared statement on April 20. “I’m proud to sign legislation that will prevent families from having to endure what the Parkland families have and ensure proper justice will be served in the state of Florida.”

The change (SB 450) will allow death sentences to be imposed based on the recommendations of 8 of 12 jurors. Judges would have discretion to sentence defendants to life in prison after receiving jury recommendations of death. But in such instances, the judges would have to explain in written orders their reasons for deviating from the death-sentence recommendations. As the bill moved through the Legislature, opponents questioned the constitutionality of

In January 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court in a case known as Hurst v. Florida ruled that the state’s death-penalty system was unconstitutional. To try to carry out the ruling, the Legislature quickly passed a measure that required 10-2 jury recommendations before death sentences could be imposed. But in October 2016, in the similarly named case of Hurst v. State, the Florida Supreme Court interpreted and applied the U.S. Supreme Court ruling and said unanimous jury recommendations were required. The Legislature responded in 2017 by putting such a unanimous requirement in law.

After DeSantis took office in January 2019, he made appointments that created a conservative majority on the Florida Supreme Court. In 2020, the court reversed course and said unanimous jury recommendations were not needed — though the unanimous requirement remained in law.

DEATH BECOMES THEM: Gov. Desantis signed the controversial bill on April 20.

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Keep quiet

The Florida Board of Education’s rule change further censors talk about sexual orientation.

By Ryan Dailey, News Service of Florida

Instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity will largely be prohibited in all public-school grades after the State Board of Education approved a controversial rule change last week. The rule effectively expands Florida’s “Parental Rights in Education” law, a hot-button measure that passed last year and was labeled by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

The law prohibited instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and required that such instruction be “age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate” in older grades. But the rule requires that teachers shall not “intentionally provide” instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in fourth through 12th grades, unless such instruction is required by state academic standards or “is part of a reproductive health course or health lesson for which a student’s parent has the option to have his or her student not attend.”

revocation of their educator certificates for violations of the rule. Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. described the change as bringing clarity to what is expected of teachers.

“All we are doing is, we are setting the expectations so that our teachers are clear that they are to teach to the standards,” Diaz said before the board passed the rule.

FLORIDA NEWS

The rule also extends the outright prohibition on such instruction to pre-kindergarten classrooms. Teachers could face suspension or

But numerous critics, including representatives of LGBTQ advocacy groups, packed a Capitol meeting room to oppose the proposal. Joe Saunders, senior political director for Equality Florida and a former state lawmaker, criticized what he called “outrageous censorship” under the “vague” new rule. “Like the Legislature, the board has provided no definitions for what ‘instruction’ on sexual orientation or gender identity means, even as you stretch the impact of this terrible policy into every classroom in the state. This rule is by design a tool for curating fear, anxiety and the erasure of our LGBTQ community,” Saunders said.

Other opponents of the rule argued it will harm vulnerable LGBTQ youths and would

take power away from local school boards. Diaz, speaking to reporters after Wednesday’s meeting, was asked about the definition of “instruction.”

“In the K-12 space, instruction is pretty clear. It has been deemed by courts that the state has complete authority, and that belongs to this board here, and we have standards. So, instruction has to coincide with standards,” Diaz said.

The new rule also drew opposition from the Human Rights Campaign, which hosted a news conference in Tallahassee to oppose the rule and what the organization called a “slate of hateful anti-LGBTQ+ bills” being considered by the Legislature. Shari Gewanter, a first-grade teacher in Leon County, was among the people who spoke at the news conference.

“Educators hold a vital role in the relationships that unfold with our students and their families. And in all the years that I’ve been teaching, I’ve felt comfortable presenting myself

as I am in my classroom. Until recently. There is now fear around that,” Gewanter said.

But Esther Byrd, a member of the state education board, echoed Diaz in saying the rule is an effort to provide more clear guidelines.

“I’ve heard a lot of complaints from parents around the state about our standards being overly broad and vague. The concern is that standards like that lead to an agenda being pushed on our impressionable young children. And we can’t let that continue. So what the board is doing today is the same thing we’ve done for the last four years — we’re providing clarity on what the students are expected to learn,” Byrd said.

Meanwhile, bills moving through the Legislature (HB 1069 and SB 1320) also seek to put into state law an expanded prohibition on instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity. The measures would broaden the prohibition in law to pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

ERASURE ALERT: Critics say Florida’s new rule silences teachers and further marginalizes the LGBTQ community.

“This rule is, by design, a tool for curating fear, anxiety and the erasure of our LGBTQ community.”

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Feeling bubbly?

20 of Tampa Bay’s best boba shops to help you celebrate National Bubble Tea Day.

By Kyla Fields and Jenn Thai

National Bubble Tea day happens on Sunday, April 30 this year, and there’s no shortage of Tampa Bay boba shops and cafes slinging matcha lattes, Thai teas, Vietnamese iced coffees and everything in between. Originated in Taiwan in the late 1980s by entrepreneur Tu Tsong He, this drink craze has risen to Western fame over the past decade or so due to its pastel colors, eclectic flavor combinations, and unique approach to desserts.

The key to discovering your perfect boba drink is to experiment freely. Whether you prefer flavors mixed, your drink with 50% less sweetness, smothered in cheese foam or topped with classic tapioca boba pearls in brown sugar syrup—chances are there’s a local tea shop that can accommodate your wildest bubble tea craving. From Pinellas Park to Temple Terrace, here are 20 of our favorite boba shops in every corner of Tampa Bay.

Bamboozle While downtown Tampa certainly misses its go-to boba fix, Bamboozle’s Channelside location still dishes out a variety of drinks alongside a menu of healthy Vietnamese favorites. Taro, coconut and matcha milk teas are joined by fresh smoothies and iced coffees, with a solid variety of bobas and jellies to match. This Vietnamese restaurant gets a few bonus points for its range of dairy-free boba drinks, too. 109 N 12th St., Tampa. Bamboozlerestaurants.com

with a 50% sweetness level, of course. Various locations through Tampa Bay. dingteatampa.com

H2O by Got-Tea After getting your fill of Thai street noodles and curry puffs at its neighbor Patti’s Kitchen, mosey on over to H20 by Got Tea for a non-dairy milk tea, fresh smoothie or a fruity shaved ice dessert for the perfect nightcap. There’s a plethora of toppings offered at this shop, which range from cheese mousse and grass jelly to red beans, rainbow jellies, pudding and basil seeds. 6529 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park. got-tea.com

DINING GUIDE

Kaleisia Tea Lounge If you ask anyone who knows good tea and boba, Kaleisia will always top their list of recommendations due to its incredible selection of loose leaf teas (black, green, rooibos, white, oolong, fruit and herbal) and variety of flavor combinations. If you’re looking to branch out beyond your typical order, give its “Truffle Noir” milk tea with traditional boba a try. 1441 E Fletcher Ave. #101, Tampa. Thetealounge.com

Chai Mixology While poke and smoothie bowls are the stars of Chai Mixology’s menu, its variety of boba teas offer a refreshing addition to its health-conscious dishes. Its boba offerings range from expected milk teas like taro and mango to unique flavors such as vanilla chai, honeydew, cookies and cream and rose. Toppings include classic tapioca pearls, popping boba, and rainbow jellies. 1106 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. chaimixology.com

Ding Tea When you’re at one of Ding Tea’s many Tampa Bay outposts, give their golden boba a try, which is less sweet and chewier than traditional black boba. The Hokkaido black latte with golden boba is a personal favorite, customized

Kung Fu Tea There are over 200 locations of this franchised boba chain in the country, and its Tampa Bay outposts sling all of the signature slushes, milk teas and coffees that helped it rise to national fame. If you’re looking for a unique, uncaffeinated treat, we recommend its fruity beverages infused with the beloved Yakult probiotic yogurt. Kung Fu’s locations in Pinellas Park and Tampa share spaces with Token Ramen, which dish out a variety of fast casual Asian-fusion bites, too. Multiple locations through Tampa Bay. kungfutea.com

La V This Central Avenue mainstay has been downtown St. Pete’s go-to spot for boba for well over a decade. You can add coffee or lychee jelly, traditional tapioca pearls or popping boba to a variety of milk teas, Thai tea slushies or chai tea lattes. You can’t ever go wrong with basic milk teas, but La V’s fruit smoothies are really the star of its drink menu (unless you’re in the mood for sake, of course.) 441 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Lavfusion.com

Lucky Tigre While Filipino-inspired dumplings and bao buns might be some of the most popular items on this intimate menu, you shouldn't sleep on Lucky Tigre’s drink options either. You can’t go wrong with its sea salt ube milk tea and mango fruit tea with fermented coconut jellies, but a pro-tip is to order its limited-edition buko pandan milk tea, complete with slices of coconut and brown sugar boba. 1101 S Howard Ave. Suite B, Tampa. @theluckytigre on Instagram

Mochinut While there’s dozens of these franchised chains throughout the country, Mochinut’s Tampa Bay storefronts still sling boba comparable to other local cafes. Some come for the rotating flavors of mochi doughnuts and Korean-style, cheese-stuffed corn dogs, while others gravitate towards its ube, matcha or brown sugar milk teas. Locations in Pinellas Park & Temple Terrace. mochinut.com

continued on page 38

BUBBLE TROUBLE: Our favorite Ding Tea cafes reside on both sides of the bridge in Pinellas Park and Brandon.

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continued from page 35

Möge Tea Taro-tofu-pudding milk tea anyone? North Tampa’s go-to spot for innovative drinks, Möge Tea dishes out a variety of cheese foam fruit teas, Yakult yogurt-infused drinks and unique flavors like creme brulee, fresh taro, red bean and mango-pomelo. 2850 University Square Dr., Tampa. Mogeteeusa.com

Moonlight Boba There’s a plethora of bubble tea shops in Pinellas Park, and Moonlight Boba certainly holds its own in a sea of competition. You can go classic with a Thai tea or its housemade milk tea, or branch out a little with winter melon oolong tea, a virgin mojito or a passion fruit slush. This local cafe also offers a menu stacked with Vietnamese bites like spring rolls, dumplings, fried rice, banh mis and dessert waffles. 6251 US Hwy.19 N Suite 102-103, Pinellas Park. Moonlight Boba on Facebook

Naga Tea If you’re a fan of traditional looseleaf teas, Naga is the spot for you. The cafe specializes in fruit teas made with real fruit, and also offers black, green, oolong, lavender and combination teas. Our Naga favorite is a kiwi green tea with traditional tapioca boba.10950 N 56th St., Temple Terrace. Nagatea.com

OneZo This Tampa cafe is one of our all-time favorite boba spots because of its consistentlyfantastic tapioca pearls, which are always made in-house. While it offers the expected brown sugar boba, Onezo also features a rotating, limited-edition flavored boba. We recommend trying its “Burny Caramel” milk tea, ordered half-sweet with brown sugar boba and egg pudding (which gives soft flan vibes.) 10268 Causeway Blvd., Tampa. onezo.us

Quickly Boba Cafe The perfect thing to accompany your Spam rice bowl or popcorn chicken is one of Quickly’s handcrafted boba beverages. Besides its variety of milk and fruit teas, slushies and smoothies, this cafe and Asian-fusion spot is also known for its efficient ordering process and friendly customer service—just don’t forget to tell its staff what percentage of sweetness you’d like in your bubble tea. 5731 E Fowler Ave., Temple Terrace. Quicklybobatea.com

tiramisu cocoa and fresh ube milk tea. And if you really want to stray from your normal order, opt for a durian smoothie with honey popping boba. 5038 66th St. N, St. Petersburg.rosegoldtealabs.com

RoyalTea RoyalTea has a unique selection of drink options—specifically its “Tornado Slushy” series which all feature a cake cream swirl. If you can only order one drink, we’d recommend the “Tornado Dragon” fruit slushy with honey boba. 7241 49th St. N, Pinellas Park. royalteaus.com

DINING GUIDE

Rose Gold Tea Labs This local cafe opened its doors just a few months ago, but it’s already one of our favorite boba shops in the Bay area. It dishes out all of the expected milk and fruit teas, but we especially love its “Rose Gold Series” specialty beverages, which feature exciting flavors like brown sugar creme brulee, leche flan milk tea,

Sip Tea Opt for something fruity and refreshing like a “Hawaiian Sunset” fruit tea, or order a drink from this shop’s “Special Sips” menu, which boasts unique offerings like cookie and cream milk teas, strawberry matcha lattes and whatever the hell a “ramen milk tea” is. You can skip the line entirely by using Sip Tea’s online ordering, or even get your favorite beverage delivered to your doorstep via Uber Eats or Doordash. 7187 66th St. N, Pinellas Park. sipteaboba.com

TeaStori This cafe’s self-service kiosks are an extremely convenient way to get your weekly (or daily) boba fix. Bonus points for TeaStori’s wide spread of mochi ice cream bites, colorful

macarons and “split drinks”—where you can get two of your favorite tea flavors in one massive drink. Walk across TeaStori’s parking lot to Sweet Buns if you want to keep riding on that sugar high. 2732 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. Teastori.com

Thuy Cafe Owned by the same folks behind Central Avenue’s La V (which deserves its own spot on this list), Thuy Cafe has been slinging boba in North St. Pete for the better part of two decades. If you’d like to feel the power of pure caffeine coursing through your veins, we suggest ordering its Vietnamese iced coffee—and perhaps a lychee green tea if you want to stay on the mellow side of things. Pro Thuy Cafe tip is ordering a blended taro milk tea with avocado and regular boba, to give an ultra-creamy kick to a classic flavor. 5944 34th St. N, St. Petersburg. Thuycafe.com

Tsaocaa Some folks come for the egg waffles and Korean fried chicken, while others frequent Tsaocaa for its massive spread of milk and fruit teas, Yakult yogurt drinks, virgin mojitos and slushies topped with its prized milk foam. From purple rice and popping boba to red beans and pudding, Tsaocaa offers some of the most extensive drink toppings in all of Tampa Bay. Locations in Tampa & Pinellas Park. tsaocaatea.com

FIT FOR A KING: Pinellas Park’s RoyalTea dishes out a variety of milk teas, smoothies and slushies. ROYALTEA FACEBOOK

Moving on

Bib Gourmand recipient Ichicoro Ramen closes, and more Tampa Bay foodie news.

By CL Staff

Eight years after changing the Seminole Heights dining scene, Tampa’s Ichicoro Ramen has closed, according to a now-former employee. Lex Rosario—who worked front of house at Ichicoro when they first started in November 2021 before moving to back of house— told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay they were at their other job on Friday, March 31 when they got word of the closure from co-workers.

Rosario contacted a kitchen manager to confirm the closure, and he only replied with a crying emoji. Ichicoro’s Google listing now says “Permanently Closed,” and a sign on the front of the building says “Ichicoro Ramen will be closed today. Thank you so much for understanding, and we apologize for any inconvenience.” The sign has remained on its door for over two weeks.

As he and other workers loaded a van outside the week after the closure, Ichicoro owner Noel Cruz told CL that his other concept, Korean fried chicken joint Gangchu is still open. Contacted again by CL, Cruz would not comment on the status of his other ventures, like Corners Pizza, which has been listed as “coming soon” on Water Street Tampa’s website since its opening

announcement over two years ago. Records at the City of Tampa show that an “Ichicoro 2.0” was underway across the street at 5246 N Florida Ave., but the last update for that concept happened in December 2022. It’s unclear what is happening with that property.

Without a doubt, Ichicoro ushered in a new era for Tampa’s dining scene. While other local ramen spots existed and still do, none were as hip as Ichicoro, which put a Tampeño spin on golden strands of Sun Noodles made in New York, included citrus in its rich broths, and presented curated cocktails in a fast-paced modern dining room.

FOOD NEWS

Last summer, Ichicoro was one of just three Tampa restaurants to earn a Bib Gourmand when the Michelin Guide made its first foray into Florida. Multiple calls to Cruz have not yet been returned.

Popular Korean fried chicken chain ‘bb.q chicken’ is now open in Tampa

A slice of Seoul heads to the Tampa suburbs, now that Korean fried chicken chain bb.q

chicken is open in Northdale. The new restaurant held a two-day grand opening event on April 14 and 15 at its newest location at 3805 Northdale Blvd. (across from the Whole Foods). The menu ranges from mild golden fried chicken, to super spicy wings of fire. In addition to its fried chicken offerings, there’s also items like ddeok-bokki, kimchi fried rice and fried dumplings. Chairman Yoon Hong-guen founded bb.q chicken —the “bb.q” means “best of the best quality”—in Seoul, South Korea in 1995 and now has over 3,500 locations worldwide in 57 countries. The new Tampa location is only the chain’s second Florida outpost, since there is also a bb.q chicken in Orlando.

BarrieHaus Beer Co. and Green Bench Brewing host a collaborative ‘Greetings from Florida’ lager party this weekend

Even though Tampa Bay Beer Week wrapped last month, two local breweries are keeping the spirit going with a collaborative, lager-centric event. Greetings from Florida—happening on Saturday, April 29 at Ybor City Museum State

Park—will showcase some of the best and crispiest lagers in the entire country. Dozens of craft breweries from across the U.S. will pour their prized brews at this weekend’s lager party.

Tickets run for $65 and include a commemorative glass and unlimited pours of 60+ lagers on tap. Guests are invited to wear their best Hawaiian shirts to give these out-of-town breweries their best Sunshine State welcome, too. Ybor City Museum State Park is located at 1818 E 9th Ave.—a short walk away from other breweries like BarrieHaus, Zydeco Brew Werks and Tampa Bay Brewing Co. A few out-of-town breweries that we can expect at Greetings from Florida include Kansas City’s Alma Mader, California-based Bagby Beer Co., South Carolina’s Birds Fly South Ale Project, Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers from Massachusetts, alongside many more. A full list of participating breweries can be found at greenbenchbrewing.com.

This is Green Bench and BarrieHaus’ second installment of Greetings from Florida, which is hopefully an annual tradition for the two continued on page 43

NO MORE NOODS:

Innovative Japanese restaurant Ichicoro remains closed on Florida Avenue.

continued from page 41

popular Tampa Bay breweries. For more information on next week’s Greetings from Florida lager party, head to @greenbenchbrewing and @barriehausbeerco on Instagram.

New owners take over South Tampa’s SOG Cafe, no longer operated by Spaddy’s and Raw Smoothie Co.

A South Tampa favorite recently changed ownership, but lucky for its regular customers, it’s still slinging similar lattes and breakfast items. SOG Cafe, which originally opened as a joint venture between Raw Smoothie Co. and Spaddy’s Coffee Co.—was acquired by new owners two weeks ago. Ronald Tineo and Omar Poueriet tell Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that they took over the concept, which stands for “South of Gandy,” on Monday, April 10.

While the direction and menu of SOG Cafe will be up to its new owners, Greg Spadaccini tells Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that the South Tampa shop–located at 6102 S MAcDill Ave., Suite F– will still use Spaddy’s coffee in its lattes, cappuccinos and more. While Tampa residents Tineo and Poueriet are in the early stages of ownership, their regular customers can still expect a similar drink menu during this transition. In addition to tweaking their coffee and espresso offerings, SOG’s new owners are also adding a few more food items like Cuban sandwiches, breakfast burritos and more specialty toasts. Former customers of Raw Smoothie Co. will appreciate Tineo and Poueriet keeping acai bowls, smoothies and avocado toasts, in addition to a variety of other vegan and glutenfree options. Spadaccini says that SOG Cafe is still using the “Heights Blend” roast, a blend of coffees that Tampa’s Zeal Roasters created specifically for Spaddy’s, although Tineo and Poueriet are now responsible for their own recipes.

“We are both descendants of the Dominican Republic and look to add a little bit of our Latin flavors and coffee to an already great area of Ballast Point,” Tineo and Poueriet explain.

Poueriet met Spadaccini a few years back through the mountain bike community, and the two have been friends and riding buddies since. Poueriet quickly adopted an interest in specialty coffee and even interned at Spaddy’s just to learn more about the craft.

Spadaccini stresses that his transition out of SOG Cafe has not affected his flagship Seminole Heights location in any shape or form. He teamed up with the owners of Raw Smoothie Co. to open their joint South Tampa storefront back in 2019, and the cafe portion originally debuted as Spaddy’s second location. Roughly a year ago, the cafe and smoothie shop merged into SOG Cafe—an entirely separate entity—which Spadaccini says “allowed both Spaddy’s and Raw Smoothie Co. to have the same goals and offer a better customer experience.”

And while there’s a multitude of different ways in which Spaddy’s can expand in the

future, Spadaccini isn’t ruling anything out. “We have no intention of leaving Seminole Heights. However, we are currently in the market to purchase a building or land—whether that’s for a headquarters, or a second location, we are unsure of yet,” he tells CL. “But I know I want to be my own landlord moving forward.”

For more news on SOG Cafe and its new direction, head to its Instagram at @sogcafe, where you can find more information about its newly-added menu items. It’s open every day from 7a.m.-2 p.m.

Crisp & Green opens first Tampa location in Water Street

Time to get your summer body right by visiting health-focused restaurant Crisp and Green, which just celebrated its grand opening at Tampa’s Water Street development. The fastcasual spot is located at 1055 E Cumberland Ave., on the ground floor of the East Cumberland Avenue parking garage across from the Cora residential building. Tampa’s new Crisp & Green joins a relatively crowded market, with healthy concepts like SweetGreen and Fit Bowl Co. already located within Water Street’s massive development .The Minnesota-based chain serves salads, aguas frescas, build-your-own grain bowls, and smoothies, with numerous vegan and vegetarian options on the menu. Crisp & Green hit the market in 2016 with a goal to blend healthy and nutritious food with fitness, by collaborating with local fitness studios and trainers

in whatever city it’s in. The company has 195 stores across 19 states including Florida outposts in Naples, Winter Garden, Venice and Estero.

Downtown Tampa’s Park & Rec location is now closed

Park & Rec, a downtown Tampa bar and restaurant that was the subject of a contentious 2020 lawsuit, has closed for good.

The bar was operated by parent company Hunger Thirst Group, which also owns other Tampa Bay concepts like No Vacancy, Lost & Found, Avenue, Good Fortune, and others. The company’s founder and CEO Stephen Schrutt took to social media last Thursday night to announce the closure. “I’m glad we gave the Tampa location a good run, but looking back, it wasn’t the right fit for the concept,” said Schrutt.

The post goes on to say that the Tampa location, at 290 S. Meridian St., is closed effective immediately, but the company’s six other concepts remain open. Park & Rec opened back in 2019 on the ground floor of a 30-story downtown Tampa condominium. Since its launch, the concept has been at the center of a battle with angry upstairs neighbors. In January 2020, the condo association sued the business over its use of the buildings’ shared spaces and the use of outdoor lights and speakers, among other things.

the company’s ongoing issues with the condominium. “The location in a residential condo tower and opening right before the pandemic started made it very challenging to operate,” said Schrutt. “For now, I look forward to focusing on St. Petersburg and the consistent growth we’ve had, as we work hard to deliver more fun concepts in the future.”

Newest Fresh Kitchen location is now open in

Lakeland

Popular build-your-own bowl concept Fresh Kitchen just opened its newest location in Lakeland. The grand opening happened on April 18 at 4520 Florida Ave. S adjacent to the new Aldi store—and featured a variety of giveaways, free food and merch.

FOOD NEWS

In his Thursday night post, Schrutt did not directly mention the lawsuit but did allude to

This new storefront is unique because it’s only the second location to offer the company’s new online ordering drive-thru pickup window. The menu lets guests create their own bowls with ingredients ranging from fresh greens and sweet potato noodles to roasted vegetables, grilled meats, and homemade sauces. There are vegan options available and the menu is 100% gluten free. In addition to the bowls, the spot also offers family meals that can feed a group of four or eight. Fresh Kitchen first debuted in the Bay area in 2014 in South Tampa and has become a local hit since. This new location marks the restaurant’s 14th storefront in the Sunshine State.

CRISPY BUSINESS: New health-focused restaurant Crisp & Green is Water Street Tampa’s newest concept.

COURTESY OF CRISP & GREEN

Help CL with this evolvinglisting. Did we miss a brewery or leave out an important detail? Email rroa@cltampa.com. Include brewery name, address, phone number and website, plus a short description of the unique offerings.

3 CAR GARAGE 8405 Heritage Green Way, Bradenton. 941-741-8877, 3cargaragebrewing.com

3 DAUGHTERS BREWING 222 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg. 727-495-6002, 3dbrewing.com

3 KEYS BREWING 2505 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton. 951-218-0396, 3keysbrewing.com

5 BRANCHES BREWING 531 Athens St., Tarpon Springs. fivebranchesbrewing.com

7VENTH SUN BREWING 1012 Broadway, Dunedin. 727-733-3013/6809 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa. 813-231-5900, 7venthsun.com

81BAY BREWING CO. 4465 W. Gandy Blvd., Tampa. 813-837-BREW, 81baybrewco.com

ANECDOTE BREWING CO. 321 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach. anecdotebrewing.com

ANGRY CHAIR 6401 N. Florida Ave., Seminole Heights. 813-238-1122, angrychairbrewing.com

ARKANE ALEWORKS 2480 E. Bay Dr., #23, Largo. 727-270-7117, arkanebeer.com

AVID BREWING 1745 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 727-388-6756, avidbrew.com

BARRIEHAUS BEER CO. 1403 E 5th Ave., Ybor City. barriehaus.com

BASTET 1951 E Adamo Dr. Suite B, Tampa. bastetbrewing.com

BAY CANNON BEER CO. 2106 W Main St., Tampa. 813-442-5615, baycannon.com

BAYBORO BREWING CO. 2390 5th Ave. S, St. Petersburg. 727-767-9666, bayborobrewing.com

BEACH ISLAND BREWERY 2058 Bayshore Blvd. Suite 5, Dunedin. 352-541-0616

BIG STORM BREWING CO. Multiple locations, bigstormbrewery.com

BIG TOP BREWING 6111 Porter Way, Sarasota. 941-371-2939, bigtopbrewing.com

BOOTLEGGERS BREWING CO. 652 Oakfield Dr., Brandon. 813-643-9463, bootleggersbrewco.com

BREW HUB 3900 Frontage Rd. S., Lakeland. 863-698-7600, brewhub.com

BREW LIFE BREWING 5765 S. Beneva Rd., Sarasota. 941-952-3831, brewlifebrewing.com

BRIGHTER DAYS BREW CO. 311 N Safford Ave., Tarpon Springs. 7272-940-2350

BULLFROG CREEK BREWING CO. 3632

Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Valrico. 813-703-8835, bullfrogcreekbrewing.com

CAGE BREWING 2001 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 727-201-4278

CALEDONIA BREWING 587 Main St., Dunedin. 727-351-5105, caledoniabrewing.com

CALUSA BREWING 5701 Derek Ave., Sarasota. 941-922-8150, calusabrewing.com

CARROLLWOOD BREWING CO. 10047 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 23, Tampa. 813-969-2337

CIGAR CITY BREWING 3924 W. Spruce St., Tampa. 813-348-6363, cigarcitybrewing.com

CLEARWATER BREWING CO. 1700 N. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater. clearwaterbrewingcompany.com

COMMERCE BREWING 521 Commerce Drive S, Largo. commercebrewing@gmail.com

COPP WINERY & BREWERY 7855 W Gulf Lake Highway, Crystal River. 352-228-8103, coppbrewery.com

COPPERTAIL BREWING CO. 2601 E. 2nd Ave., Tampa. 813-247-1500, coppertailbrewing.com

CORPORATE LADDER BREWING

COMPANY 4935 96th St. E, Palmetto. 941-4794799, corporateladderbrewing.square.site

COTEE RIVER BREWING 5760 Main St., New Port Richey. 727-807-6806, coteeriverbrewing.com

CRAFT LIFE BREWING 4624 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes. 813-575-8440. facebook. com/CraftLifeBrewing

CROOKED THUMB BREWERY 555 10th Ave. S., Safety Harbor. 727-724-5953, crookedthumbbrew.com

CUENI BREWING CO. 945 Huntley Ave., Dunedin. 727-266-4102, cuenibrewing.com

CYCLE BREWING 534 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-320-7954. cyclebrewing.com

DADE CITY BREW HOUSE 14323 7th St., Dade City. 352-218-3122, dadecitybrewhouse.com

DARWIN BREWING CO. 803 17th Ave. W., Bradenton. 941-747-1970, darwinbrewingco.com

DE BINE BREWING CO. 933 Florida Ave., Palm Harbor. 727-233-7964.

DENTED KEG ALE WORKS 5500 Main St., New Port Richey. 727-232-2582, dentedkegaleworks.com

DEVIANT LIBATION 3800 N Nebraska Ave., 727-379-4677, deviantlibation.com

DISSENT CRAFT BREWING

CO. 5518 Haines Rd. N., St. Petersburg. 727-3420255. facebook.com/ dissentcraftbrewing

DUNEDIN BREWERY

937 Douglas Ave., Dunedin. 727-736-0606, dunedinbrewery.com

DUNEDIN HOUSE OF BEER 927 Broadway, Dunedin. 727 216-6318, dunedinhob.com

EIGHT-FOOT BREWING

4417 SE 16th Place, Cape Coral. 239-984-2655, eightfootbrewing.com

ESCAPE BREWING

CO. 9945 Trinity Blvd., Suite 108, Trinity. 727-807-6092, escapebrewingcompany.com

FLORIDA AVENUE BREWING CO. 2029

Arrowgrass Dr., Wesley Chapel. 813-452-6333, floridaavebrewing.com

FLORIDA BREWERY 202

Gandy Rd., Auburndale. 863-965-1825

FOUR STACKS BREWING

5469 N. US HWY 41, Apollo Beach. 813-641-2036, fourstacksbrewing.com

FRONT PAGE BREWING CO. 190 S Florida Ave., Bartow. 863-537-7249, frontpagebrewing.com

GRAND CENTRAL BREWHOUSE 2340 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-202-6071, grandcentralbrew.com

GREEN BENCH BREWING COMPANY 1133 Baum Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-800-9836, greenbenchbrewing.com

GOOD LIQUID BREWING CO. 4824 14th St. W., Bradenton. 941-896-6381, thegoodliquidbrewing.com

GRINDHAUS BREW LAB 1650 N. Hercules Ave., Clearwater. 727-240-0804, grindhausbrewlab.com

GULFPORT BREWERY + EATERY 3007 Beach Blvd., Tampa. facebook.com/GulfportBrewery

HIDDEN SPRINGS ALE WORKS 1631 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-226-2739, hiddenspringsaleworks.com

HOB BREWING CO. 931 Huntley Ave., Dunedin. hob.beer

IF I BREWED THE WORLD 2200 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 727-201-4484, ifibrewedtheworld.com

IN THE LOOP BREWING 3338 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes. 813-997-9189, intheloopbrewingcompany.com

INFUSION BREWING CO. 6345 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey. 7272-484-4757

KEEL FARMS AGRARIAN ALE + CIDER 5210 W. Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City. 813-7529100, keelandcurleywinery.com

KING STATE 520 E Floribraska Ave., Tampa. 813-221-2100, king-state.com

LAGERHAUS BREWERY & GRILL 3438 East Lake Business, Palm Harbor. 727-216-9682, lagerhausbrewery.com

LATE START BREWING 1018 E Cass St., Tampa, latestartbrewing.com

LEAVEN BREWING 11238 Boyette Rd., Riverview. 813-677-7023, leavenbrewing.com

LIQUID GARAGE CO. 1306 Seven Springs Blvd., New Port Richey. 727-645-5885. theliquidgarage.com

MAD BEACH CRAFT BREWING 12945 Village Boulevard, Madeira Beach. 727-362-0008, madbeachbrewing.com

MAGNANIMOUS BREWING 1410 Florida Ave., Tampa. 813-415-3671, magnanimousbrewing.com

MARKER 48 12147

Cortez Blvd, Weeki Wachee. 352-606-2509, marker48.com

MASTRY’S BREWING

CO. 7701 Blind Pass Rd., St. Pete Beach. 727-202-8045, mastrysbrewingco.com

MOTORWORKS BREWING 1014 9th Street West, Bradenton. 941-567-6218, motorworksbrewing.com

MR. DUNDERBAK’S

14929 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa. 813-9774104, dunderbaks.com

OFF THE WAGON

BREWERY 2107 S Tamiami Trail, Venice. 941-497-2048, otwbar.com

OLDE FLORIDA BREWING 1158 7th St. NW, Largo. 727-2298010, facebook.com/oldefloridabrew

OVERFLOW BREWING 70 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-914-0665, facebook.com/ overflowbrewingco

OZONA BREWING COMPANY 315 Orange St., Palm Harbor. 920-392-9390, ozonabrewing.com

PEPPER BREWING 9366 Oakhurst Rd., Seminole. 727-596-5766, angrypeppertaphouse.com

PESKY PELICAN BREW PUB 923 72nd. St. N., St. Petersburg. 727-302-9600, peskypelicanbrewpub.com

PINELLAS ALE WORKS 1962 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 727-235-0970, pawbeer.com

POUR HOUSE 1208 E Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. 813-402-2923, pourhousetampa.com

PYE ROAD MEADWORKS 8533 Gunn Hwy., Odessa. 813-510-3500, pyeroad.com

RAPP BREWING COMPANY 10930

Endeavor Way, Seminole. 727-544-1752, rappbrewing.com

RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER 2244 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-360-0766, stpetearcadebar.com

ROCK BROTHERS BREWING 1901 N. 15th St., Ybor City. 813-241-0110, rockbrothersbrewing.com

SARASOTA BREWING COMPANY 6607 Gateway Ave., Sarasota. 941-925-2337, sarasotabrewing.com

SCOTTY’S BIERWORKS 901 East Industrial Circle, Cape Coral. 239-888-5482, scottysbierworks.net

SEA DOG BREWING 9610 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island/ 26200 US Highway 19 N, Clearwater. 727-954-7805, seadogbrewing.com

SILVERKING BREWING CO. 325 E Lemon St., Tarpon Springs. 727-422-7598, silverkingbrewing.com

SIX TEN BREWING 7052 Benjamin Rd., Tampa. 813-886-0610, sixtenbrewing.com

SOGGY BOTTOM BREWING 660 Main St., Dunedin. 727-601-1698, soggybottombrewing.com

SOUTHERN BREWING & WINEMAKING 4500 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa. 813-238-7800, southernbrewingwinemaking.com

SOUTHERN LIGHTS BREWING CO. 2075 Sunnydale Blvd., Clearwater. 727-648-4314, southernlightsbrewing.com

ST. PETE BREWING COMPANY 544 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-692-8809, stpetebrewingcompany.com

STILT HOUSE BREWERY 625 U.S. Hwy Alt. 19, Palm Harbor. 727-270-7373, stilthousebrewery.com

SWAN BREWING 15 W Pine St., Lakeland. 863-703-0472, swanbrewing.com

TAP THIS! BAR AND BREWING CO. 10730

US-19, Port Richey. 727-378-4358, tapthisbar.com

TBBC 1600 E 8th Ave., Ybor City/13933 Monroe’s Business Park, Westchase. 813-2471422, tbbc.beer

TEMPLE OF BEER 1776 11th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. 727-350-3055, templeofbeer.com

THREE BULLS TAVERN & BREWERY 4330 Bell Shoals Road, Valrico. 813-381-3853, threebullstavern.com

TIDAL BREWING COMPANY 14311 Spring Hill Dr., Spring Hill. 352-701-1602, tidalbrewingfl.com

TROUBLED WATERS BREWING 670 Main St., Safety Harbor. 727-221-9973, troubledwatersbeer.com

TWO FROGS BREWING COMPANY 151 E. Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs. 727-940-6077, facebook.com/twofrogsbrewing

TWO LIONS WINERY & PALM HARBOR BREWERY 1022 Georgia Ave., Palm Harbor. 727-786-8039, twolionswinery.com

ULELE SPRING BREWERY 1810 N. Highland Ave., Tampa. 813-999-4952, ulele.com

UNREFINED BREWING 312 E Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs. 727-940-4822, unrefinedbrewing.com

WELTON BREWING CO. 2624 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’Lakes. 813-820-0050, thebrewcraftery.com

THE WILD ROVER BREWERY 13921 Lynmar Blvd., Tampa. 813-475-5995, thewildroverbrewery.com

WOODWRIGHT BREWING COMPANY 985 Douglas Ave., Dunedin. 727-238-8717, facebook.com/woodwrightbrewing

WOVEN WATER BREWING CO. 456 W Columbus Drive, Tampa. 813-443-9463, wovenwaterbrew.com

YUENGLING BREWING CO. 11111 N 30th St., Tampa. 813-972-8529, yuengling.com

ZEPHYRHILLS BREWING COMPANY 38530 5th Ave., Zephyrhills. 813-715-2683, zbcbeer.com

ZYDECO BREW WERKS 902 E. 7th Ave., Ybor City. 813-252-4541, facebook.com/ zydecobrewwerks

MOVIES THEATER ART CULTURE

Park performances

Talented Ragtime at St. Pete’s Demen Landing makes for a raucous picnic.

By Jon Palmer Claridge

Directing American Stage’s “Ragtime” outdoors at Demens Landing forced director Erica Sutherlin to “face the notion of the American Dream. Are we actually becoming ‘we the people’—a true nation?” Optimistically she wants us “to look beyond hatred and turmoil. To look toward possibility.”

Good luck with that one.

E. L. Doctorow’s 1975 novel is an extraordinary tapestry, a panoramic view of the dawning of the 20th century from the perspective nearer the millennium’s end. "Ragtime" confronts many issues: immigration, racism, socialism, women’s rights, industrialization, and the labor movement. Sadly, little progress has been made even in 2023. We may no longer tolerate the open use of the N-word, but we still seem incapable of arresting Black men and boys (I still shed a tear for Tamir Rice) without killing them. Also, inexplicably, we’re denying bodily autonomy for women and targeting Mifepristone even in states where abortion remains legal. Plus, even though we’re all immigrants, fear mongering politicians continue to feed the same prejudicial myths; only the countries have changed since 1906.

leads a tight, well-drilled nine-piece band while Sutherlin guides her superb cast of 23 with a sure hand; they’re vocally strong and dramatically focused. Choreographer Heather Beal delivers beautifully, especially in “Henry Ford,” where a Model T assembly line comes to life or the exuberant “What a Game”—ode to baseball. The star of the show is Teresa L. Williams stunning deconstructed Statue of Liberty set brilliantly lit by Dalton Hamilton, who surprises us with color and texture throughout the show.

THEATER

The WASP-y New Rochelle family of Sarah Middough (Mother), Larry Alexander (Father), Matthew Harper Stevenson (Younger Brother), and Martin Powers (Little Boy) create distinct compelling characters who drive the narrative. Billy Goldstein (Tateh) is touching as the immigrant father. Dante Murray (Coalhouse Walker) and Leah Stewart (Sarah) have the requisite vocal chops, but their ballad, “Wheels of a Dream,” fails to soar because the sound design robs them of the opportunity to ride the appropriate emotional wave (see below).

The play’s three-threaded “emotional, jaunty, song-and-dance experience” focuses on a white WASP woman married into privilege, a ragtime musician from Harlem whose insistence on a point of justice drives him to revolutionary violence, and a widowed immigrant Jewish peddler and his young daughter. As in the novel, the line between fantasy and historical fact, between real and imaginary characters, disappears with the inclusion of Booker T. Washington (a charismatic Clinton Harris), Henry Ford (Cody Taylor), Emma Goldman (rousing Beth Gelman), J.P. Morgan (Derek Baxter), Harry Houdini (Anthony Gervais) and Evelyn Nesbit (an enthusiastic Laura McKenna).

Music Director Latoya McCormick, reigning Theatre Tampa Bay award winner for “Crowns,”

With so many strengths, it’s also unfathomable to me how a few obvious faux pas were allowed to jar our suspension of disbelief. Whenever a swaddled baby appears onstage, audiences know and accept that it’s a doll and not a real child. But as a grandfather, I know something about dolls— and child development. It’s bad enough that the abandoned baby that Mother discovers in the flower bed looks like a rigid loaf of bread, but it fails to grow or change over many months— even until Coalhouse asks if his son is walking. Likewise, in an otherwise stunning set design, how is the stage right railing of unadorned steel pipe and fittings allowed to pass? Or stagehands clad in blue jeans and/or emblazoned tee-shirts; we accept that crew must assist in moving scenery, but is it really so hard to dress in all black so as not to draw focus? And the gender blind casting of Mona Lim (Grandfather) adds nothing.

Most importantly, much like the Straz’s Morsani Hall where Broadway musicals also go to die, the sound is atrocious. Proper sound reinforcement should largely go unnoticed, even outdoors. The voices should seem to emanate from the actors who are speaking or singing. The orchestra should be clear and balanced as not to overpower the performers. I’ve just returned from a week of Broadway where the sound was superb and as described. I was in the cheap seats and yet there was the opportunity for a complete dynamic range of vocals, from a single whisper to a soaring chorus growing to a thunderous crescendo. Sadly, this whole production is over-amplified, shrill, and distorted, especially when the entire company is singing. When you have a cast and musicians of this high caliber, it’s a shame to rob the artists of all nuance. I feel compelled to share that I’ve been

similarly incensed at the Kennedy Center and in London’s West End when careless or clueless sound ruined otherwise well-conceived shows.

So finally, I confess I’ve never been a fan of Demens Landing as a venue because almost any show seems dwarfed to my eyes and ears, but “Ragtime” is particularly egregious. I know many patrons love the chance to picnic and see a show in the park on a grand scale. What I wish readers would do is to go see the work of this fine company in the intimate Raymond James Theatre space on 3rd Street, where you’ll be swept away with a breadth and depth of emotion impossible outdoors. Start with the upcoming Pulitzer Prize winning “Disgraced” or, better yet, subscribe to new Producing Artistic Director, Helen R. Murray’s exciting new season, which opens with “Indecent,” Paula Vogel’s moving portrait of forbidden love.

CENTENNIAL STORIES: Ragtime explores different characters at the turn of the 20th century.

AMERICAN STAGE/FLICKR

Ragtime: A Musical Select nights through May 14. $28-$48. americanstage.org

“When you have a cast and musicians of this high caliber, it’s a shame to rob the artists of all nuance.”

Thursday, June 8th

6:30pm

Banquet Masters

SE corner of Ulmerton and 49th St.

www.wordplaytampabay.com

Lasting Impressions: Japanese Prints from the Read-Simms Collection was organized by the Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston, South Carolina

Kusakabe Kimbei, Umbrella Maker (detail), c. 1880, Albumen print, Gift of Ludmila and Bruce Dandrew from The Ludmila Dandrew and Chitranee Drapkin Collection

KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI, South Wind, Clear Dawn (Red Fuji) from the series Thirty-six Views of Fuji, c. 1831–33, Color woodblock print. Image courtesy of Gibbes Museum of Art

Working & Progressing

Tampa’s homegrown Gasparilla Music Festival returns this weekend.

By Kyla Fields

Although the lineup for 2023’s rendition of Gasparilla Music Festival was announced much later than usual, we’re all just excited to witness yet another year of nationally-acclaimed acts and local musicians with Tampa’s beloved Hillsborough River as the backdrop. Last year, when asked what GMF had to do to make it another decade or so, Executive Director and co-founder David Cox told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that the festival had to constantly evolve—and the fact that it’s offering a stacked lineup of national and homegrown talent this year speaks volumes on its ability to adapt.

SHOW PREVIEW

regular venues, among other changes, stalled the festival’s announcement. Kiley Gardens—which is adjacent to Curtis Hixon Park and home to many GMF stages over the years—could not be utilized for this year’s festival due to structural issues. Back in January, the City of Tampa said that “water intrusion issues have been identified through an exploratory evaluation.”

Run The Jewels—the legendary rap duo featuring Killer Mike and El-P—lead GMF’s headliners alongside electro-funk duo Chromeo, rock band and professional Deadheads Joe Russo’s Almost Dead and indie-rock heartthrobs Local Natives. Heavy hitter local acts include GMF favorite Shevonne & The Force, rapper Pusha Preme, songwriter Rebekah Pulley, neo-soul singer Shelby Sol, indie-pop outfit Speakeasy and GMF veterans Flipturn among many, many more. GMF’s entire 2023 lineup, day-by-day schedule and full list of sponsors, vendors and amenities can be found at gasparillamusic.com.

The locally-ran and organized music festival typically happens in February or March, with its lineup announced far before that. This year’s highly-anticipated lineup drop happened in early March, as complications surrounding one of its

Cox described 2023 as “a transitional year for the festival,” as it adapts to Tampa’s growing downtown and the absence of Phil Benito, a local concert promoter who served as GMF’s talent buyer for the past ten years. While downtown’s Curtis Hixon Park will be GMF’s main hub, there will be additional stages at The Straz’s Riverwalk Stage, the Tampa Convention Center and Sparkman Wharf, according to gasparillamusic.com

In addition to two full days of multi-genre acts from Tampa Bay and beyond, GMF also features a variety of local food vendors slinging their tastiest festival food, locally-brewed craft beer, kid-friendly activities, silent disco and interactive art installations. Parking might be a little tricky, but Poe, Curtis Hixon and the Fort Brooke garages are your best bet besides carpooling and ridesharing apps.

Tickets for GMF 2023 are still available and can be purchased directly on its website—with single day passes running for $50 on the cheaper end. Or you can opt for $200 VIP tickets if you’d like to treat yourself all weekend-long.

Whatever ticketing tier you gravitate towards, it’ll be money well spent since the festival is operated and organized by the Gasparilla Music Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit. Each spring, the community-funded festival strives to “create a sustainable community event for the Tampa Bay area while promoting arts education and benefiting local organizations and businesses.” When it is not hosting Tampa Bay’s largest homegrown music and arts festival, the foundation continues to work with its local charity “Recycle Tunes,” which provides new and refurbished instruments to students across the Bay area.

2024’s Gasparilla Music Festival is already underway, and will take place Friday-Sunday, Feb. 17-18 at Tampa’s Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. Only time will tell what the constantlyevolving GMF has in store for next year.

“We’re looking forward to celebrating one last year in Curtis Hixon with a sensational lineup. We’re very excited to establish our new home at Julian B Lane Park in 2024 where we can grow for years to come and remain an integral part of the downtown landscape,” Cox told CL earlier this year.

ARMS UP: Thousands of music-lovers are set to attend GMF 2023 this weekend.

By Josh Bradley & Kyla Fields C CL Recommends

FRI 28

Chase Rice w/Read Southall Band/John Morgan The lineup for last year’s Turning Point USA AmericaFest read like a right-wing nutjob wet dream thanks to appearances from Steve Bannon, Andy Ngo, Matt Gaetz, Tampa Bay’s own Anna Paulina Luna and more. There to soundtrack some of it was Chase Rice, a country singer who’s also coowner of recently-opened St. Petersburg bar Welcome to the Farm. If that sounds like your cup of tea party, then you’ll want to be in downtown St. Pete when the 37-year-old brings those MAGA vibes to the venue next door. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)

Harsh Symmetry w/Haunt Me/ Ortrotasce/DJ Winters If post-punk, darkwave or new wave are your musical beverages of choice, Ybor City will have a steady stream on tap. In what will be one of the most comprehensive shows of those genres to hit Florida in the past several years, Crowbar will host Harsh Symmetry, Haunt Me and Ortrotasce. Harsh Symmetry is a one-man, synthesizer-driven solo project of Los Angeles based musician Julian Sharwarko, mixing bits of 1980s post- punk and new wave with more contemporary touches of dark wave and minimal wave.(Crowbar, Ybor City)—Paul Catala

Mindwash w/Bad, Bad Things/Sligh In September, local “trash rock n’ roll” outfit Mindwash officially declared that its debut Think Trash album was in the can, and that some singles would be spawning pretty soon. While there are still no signs of any sort of release date for anything new, Chris Denny and company will almost certainly present a preview of some sort at The Bends come Friday night. Bad, Bad Things and Sligh open.

(The Bends, St. Petersburg)

Nightbreakers w/Crøwnz/Night Winds

Before the fourth game of the NHL playoffs last year between the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers, the up-and-coming pop-rock outfit performed outside in Thunder Alley. A little under a year later, Nightbreakers—now equipped with a gushy new single, “In My Head,” and fresh off a short tour supporting THE WLDLFE, takes on a homecoming gig at the historic Brass Mug. If you can’t make the Friday night gig with Crøwnz and Night Winds, there’s also a Saturday night Orlando stop at Will’s Pub. (Brass Mug, Tampa)

The Spring Breakaway feat. Manna/ Area52/Ellipsis/Til Now/Endurus/The Pop Off/Social Infants/The Bryn Rietz

Vision/The Michael Jamsmith Band

Superior Booking lives up to its name with this absolutely stacked Friday night gig of alternative, rock and pop-punk from every corner of Florida and beyond. ( Orpheum, Tampa)

Tampa Throwback Jam w/ Ice Cube/ Bone Thugs n Harmony/Lisa Lisa/2 Live Crew/more A hip-hop time machine stops in Tampa when the Throwback Jam brings Ice Cube, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and more to the Bay area. Other headliners include Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Lisa Lisa, alongside support acts like 2 Live Crew, JJ Fad and Color Me Badd, who all known for their hits in the late 80’s and early 90’s. (Yuengling Center, Tampa) -Tyana Rodgers

SAT 29

Gasparilla Music Festival The gates for GMF 2023 are about to open, and Tampa Bay music-lovers are ready to witness lively sets from headliners Run the Jewels, Chromeo and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, plus performances from Tampa-based artists like rapper Pusha Preme, pop songwriter Summer Hoop,

rock band Shevonne & the Force and blues virtuoso George Pennington, just to name a few.(Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa)

Shawn Mullins It looks like tickets for Shawn Mullins’ highly-anticipated Tampa Bay gig are still sold out, but we can only hope a few more tickets are released for this prized folk and Americana show. (Safety Harbor Art and Music Center, Safety Harbor)

UPSAHL The last time indie pop singer Taylor Cameron Upsahl was in town—who only goes by her last name—was when she opened day two of the 20th annual 97x Next Big Thing in 2021. She only worked off of her voice, a bass, and a white Gretsch, with most everything else being pre-recorded. The 24-year-old spent part of last year opening for Yungblud, and her first-ever headlining tour—partially supporting her newish

EP—rolls into Tampa this week with support from WizTheMc. (Crowbar, Ybor City)

SUN 30

The Black Dahlia Murder w/Terror/ Frozen Soul/Fuming Mouth/Phoboliphic Listeners of melodic death metal will probably be at Ybor City’s Crowbar this Sunday when The Black Dahlia Muder returns to Tampa Bay.Fans will hear singles off of its 9th studio album Verminous— which was released in 2020—alongside exciting sets from other metal and hardcore acts like Terror, Frozen Soul, Fuming Mouth and Phoboliphic. (The Ritz, Ybor City)

Equiknox feat. Full Crate/T. Couture/ DJ Qeys/Mila Killa We love our Sunset Saturdays and Pound Fridays, but right down the street from The Ritz on Sunday, a longdreamt-of EDM party will go down, as a late acknowledgment of the spring equinox. Full Crate—a producer-songwriter-DJ fresh outta Coachella—is set to close the White Lie show, which kicks off at 7 p.m. “His energy will end the night perfectly with hard hitting Baile Funk, Afro Beats, Dancehall, and Amapiano,” a press release reads. Before him will see DJ sets from Tampeño emcees T. Couture, DJ Qets, and Mila Killa. (White Lie, Tampa)

Kristopher James w/Taylor James Reed Florida-born Americana singer Kristopher James is no stranger to Tampa Bay, and he brings his soulful tunes and masterful falsetto to Ybor City, with the help of fellow singer-songwriter Taylor Reed. (Attic at Rock Brothers Brewing, Ybor City)

The Mingus Centennial w/The Michael Ross 5 It’s unreal to think that the Angry Man of Jazz would have celebrated his 101st birthday on April 22nd. This Sunday, longtime local jazzman Michael Ross will lead his jazz quintet that features the likes of Spain-based pianist Pablo Arencibia, drummer John Jenkins, Daniel Jordan, and David Pate, both sharing flute and saxophone duties. Ross will also be throwing a few of his original compositions into the mix, so if you’re looking for a good palate cleanser before you head down to see Joe Russo’s Almost Dead at GMF, or New Edition at Amalie Arena, look no further.

(HCC Ybor Mainstage Theatre, Ybor City)

New Edition w/Keith Sweat/Guy/Tank

If you’re still bummed about Keith Sweat canceling his Florida Strawberry Festival set earlier this year, pout no more. New Edition— still together and seemingly not putting out new material anytime soon—is bringing Mr. “Twisted” along for a second Amalie Arena stop in just over a year on Sunday, along with “My Fantasy” hitmaking trio Guy, and Tank. The R&B sextet’s stop in the same room last spring saw Charlie Wilson playing support, so Sunday will be a once in a lifetime groove, indeed. (Amalie Arena, Tampa)

Spike Hellis w/Mother Juno/Ortrotasce/ Afterworld/DJ Cherry L.A.-based industrial-synth duo Spike Hellis takes New World Brewery’s stage alongside local purveyors of Tampa’s homegrown spooky music, Mother Juno, Ortrotasce, Afterworld and DJ Cherry. Head to Bandcamp to give Spike Hellis’

self-titled 2022 LP a listen, which is chock full of spicy electronic riffs and experimental beats. (New World Brewery, Tampa)

MON 1

MIRA’s Live Music Showcase We gotta hand it to SPC for providing students with its MIRA (Music Industry/Recording Arts) program, which goes beyond just performance. The program offers classes in contemporary production, business, and even legal issues in music, just to scratch the surface, and on Monday, MIRA’s respective R&B and rock ensembles will put on a live music showcase. There’s no college football going on, so what’s the harm in showing support for the arts kids of Tampa Bay? (Hough Hall at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg)

TUE 2

Vampires Everywhere! w/Saving Vice

This Las Vegas-based rock band is bringing its Warped Tour charm to Tampa this week. While Vampires Everywhere! hasn’t released an album in the better part of a decade, its

fans will surely hear its 2023 single “Cry Little Sister” at Crowbar, alongside its most popular song, 2010’s “Immortal Love.” (Crowbar, Ybor City)

Tampa Bay Symphony Spring 2023:

Tchaikovsky’s Pathetique Generally, you won’t find the Tampa Bay Symphony— entirely composed of classical-loving volunteers—performing behind Josh Groban, or going through the score of one of the “Harry Potter” films. Nonetheless, the hidden gem of an ensemble already has its 2023-24 season planned out, and will end its current one with a bang on Tuesday night. Under the baton of Maestro Mark Sforzini, some contest-winning literature (“Defiant Overture” by Austin Ali, and “Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Major, Op. 102” from Elisabeth Thomashoff) will open the evening at Hough Hall, followed by Tchaikovsky’s 6th—and final—symphony. (Hough Hall at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg)

THU 4

The Aquadolls This group of badass “mermaid rockers”helped paved the way

for all the Snail Mails, Chastity Belts and Soccer Mommies dominating the indie-rock scene right now. The California-based trio just released its newest singles “Burn Baby Burn” and Sneaky,” which are set to be on Tampa’s setlist Thursday night. The L.A. outfit might have spent last summer touring the world with Incubus and Sublime with Rome, but The Aquadolls have always paved a path of its own with its infectious melodic indie tunes. And speaking of great indie tunes— local acts Spoiled Rat and Bambii Valentino open for The Aquadolls’ highly-anticipated Tampa gig. (Hooch and Hive, Tampa)

Leah Marlene Last summer, the 21-yearold “American Idol” finalist admitted that she was still struggling to get her foot in the door, and that she felt misunderstood by the music industry. And while there’s still a long road ahead for the Normal, IL-based singersongwriter—whose most recent album Many Colors sounds like what Taylor Swift’s debut could have been, had it been a little more guitar-heavy—she did manage to accumulate over 250 entries when she announced that she was looking for opening acts for her first headlining tour, which stops at The Attic on Thursday. (The Attic at Rock Brothers Brewing, Ybor City)

The Aquadolls

COURTESY

GOTH NIGHT

DJ AZY † SPECIAL GUESTS 7-11 | FREE

FRIDAY APRIL 28

MUSIC HALL

KYLE INGRAM TRIO THE HENLEYS

KING OF DENMARK

DOORS 7 | SHOW 8 | $10 AT THE DOOR |18+

SATURDAY APRIL 29

MUSIC HALL

CELTIC CONUNDRUM

FOLK-ROCK / CELTIC

DOORS 6 | SHOW 7 | $10 ADV | $15 DOS | 18+

SUNDAY APRIL 30

BIERGARTEN

SAM

WILLIAMS

SURF NOIR & SPY-FI

SOUNDTRACKS 7:30-9:30 | FREE

BIERGARTEN

JACOB

RICE

SINGER-SONGWRITER 7:30-9:30 | FREE

MUSIC HALL ENDOXA BOOKING & COMMUNION AFTER DARK PRESENT SPIKE HELLIS + MOTHER JUNO

ORTROTASCE / AFTERWORLD / DJ CHERRY

DOORS 7 | SHOW 8 | $10 ADV | $15 DOS | 18+

BIERGARTEN

LATIN DANCE AND MARKET

SALSA BACHATA MERENGUE AND MORE FROM DJ JAMES

MULTIPLE VENDORS! COMPLIMENTARY CLASS BY TONOS LATIN DANCE

2:30-6 | FREE | ALL AGES | FAMILY-FRIENDLY

MONDAY MAY 1 CLOSED

TUESDAY MAY 2 & WEDNESDAY MAY 3 NO SHOW | RESTAURANT & BAR OPEN 11AM-11PM

THURSDAY MAY 3 BAR

LAUGH LAB COMEDY OPEN MIC 8:30-10:30 | FREE

F 5.19

Almost a year after playing a highly-anticipated show at Tampa’s Hard Rock Event Center, The “Girl On Fire” is back, but at a much bigger venue. This time around, singer, songwriter and global pop star Alicia Keys will hold court at Tampa’s Amalie Arena.

Tickets for Alicia Key’s “The Keys to the Summer” tour—happening at Amalie Arena on June 30—are on sale now and start at $35.75. In 2021, Keys released her eighth album, KEYS and debuted her sold-out “ALICIA + KEYS” tour last year with stops throughout Europe and North America. A press release says that this year’s tour will feature Keys performing with an “in the round” 360-degree production set up, allowing fans to experience her music in a new way.

“The KEYS TO THE SUMMER TOUR is going to be completely unforgettable and unmissable!” said Keys on social media. “I describe it as a celebration of freedom and self-liberation! It’s going to be colorful, magical and will light up your body, soul and all of your senses! This is my first time creating a 360 experience and we’ve made sure it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen! I’m so excited to see y’all this summer!”—Tyana Rodgers

Hands Off Uhuru feat. Sade Sunde/ Witch Hiatus/Rutterkin/Healing Fyah/ Shana Smith/Life Malcolm/Pedro El Poeta/Charles Hine/Whirlynn Garcia

Saturday, May 6. 5 p.m. $10. Nana’s Juice Bar and Restaurant, Ybor City

The Cult Saturday, May 20. 8 p.m. $39.50 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Have Gun, Will Travel w/Pohgoh/Spirit and the Cosmic Heart/TBA Saturday, May 20. 7:30 p.m. $15. Crowbar, Ybor City

Las Migas Sunday, May 21. 7 p.m. $24.50 & up. Central Park Performing Arts Center, Largo

Donna the Buffalo Saturday, June 10. 8 p.m. $20. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Jacuzzi Boys w/Snacks/The Drain Outs

Thursday, June 22. 8:45 p.m. $16. Hooch and Hive, Tampa

Charlie w/Jet Fuel Soda Friday, June 23. 8:45 p.m. $11. Hooch and Hive, Tampa

Mvtant w/Johnstonstons/DJ Vurloque

Friday, June 23. 8 p.m. $13. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

Shevonne & The Force Friday, June 23. 8 p.m. $9.50 & up. Central Park Performing Arts Center, Largo

Ellie Lee Band Saturday, June 24. 8 p.m. $9.50 & up. Central Park Performing Arts Center, Largo

Analepsy w//Cognitive/Wormhole/ NecroticGoreBeast Wednesday, July 12. 7:30 p.m. $15. Crowbar, Ybor City

Steven Curtis Chapman w/Cochren & Co. Wednesday, July 12. 8 p.m. $38.50 & up.

Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg

Dirt Monkey w/Jantsen Friday, July 14. 10 p.m. $20. The Ritz, Ybor City

Culture Club w/Howard Jones/Berlin

Saturday, July 15. 7 p.m. $24.95 & up.

Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

Man On Man w/TBA Wednesday, July 26. 8 p.m. $15. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

Maddie & Tae Friday, July 28. 8 p.m. $25 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Underoath w/The Ghost Inside/ We Came As Romans/Better Lovers Thursday, August 3. 7 p.m. $42.75 & up. Yuengling Center, Tampa Arrows In Action w/Honey Revenge/ Finish Ticket Tuesday, Aug. 8. 7 p.m. $19.99. Orpheum, Tampa Stephen Marley Saturday, Aug. 12. 8 p.m.

& up. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg The Nude Party w/TBA Tuesday, Sept. 19. 7 p.m. $20. Crowbar, Ybor City The Midnight Friday, Oct. 13. 5:30 p.m. $30 & up. The Ritz, Ybor City

Shameful

By Dan Savage

I’m away this week. Please enjoy this column from June of 2018.–Dan

I’ve been married to my husband for two years. Five months into our relationship (before we got married), he confessed that he was an adult baby. I was so grossed out, I was literally ill. (Why would this great guy want to be like this?) I told him he would have to choose: diapers or me. He chose me. I believed him and married him. Shortly before the birth of our child, I found out that he’d been looking at diaper porn online. I lost it. He apologized and said he’d never look at diaper porn again. Once I was free to have sex again after the birth, it was like he wasn’t into it. When I asked what the deal was, he told me he wasn’t into sex because diapers weren’t involved. I broke down, and he agreed to talk to a counselor. But on the day we were supposed to go, he was mad about every little thing I did and then said he wasn’t going! I went crazy and called his mom and told her everything, and she said she found a diaper under his bed when he was 7! After this crisis, he agreed to work things out, but then I found adult-size diapers in the house—and not for the first time! I took a picture and sent it to him, and he told me that he was tired of me controlling him and he is going to do this when he wants. He also said he was mad at me for telling his mom. I told him no, absolutely not, he cannot do this. Then I found adult-size diapers in the house again this morning and freaked out. He says he never wants to discuss diapers with me again, and I’m afraid he might choose them over me! Please give me advice on how to make him understand that this is not him! This is who he chooses to be! And he doesn’t have to be this way!—Married

she agrees with in order for her to be married to him is a form of sexual extortion, i.e., ‘If you love me and want to be with me, you’ll give up this sexual interest that I find disgusting.’ Without empathy, mutual respect, communication, unconditional love, and a willingness to negotiate and accommodate compromises and win-win solutions, this couple is doomed, regardless of diapers under the bed.”

Now let’s bring in a voice you rarely hear when diaper fetishists are being discussed: an actual diaper fetishist.

SAVAGE LOVE

“The common misconception with ABDL (adult baby diaper lovers) is that they are into inappropriate things—like having an interest in children—and this couldn’t be more wrong,” said Pup Jackson, a twentysomething diaper lover and kink educator. “AB is not always sexual. Sometimes it’s a way for a person to disconnect from their adult life and become someone else. With DLs, they aren’t necessarily into age play—they enjoy diapers and the way they feel, much like people enjoy rubber, Lycra, or other materials. To understand her husband, MADDL needs to ask questions about why her husband enjoys diapers and figure out how to deal with it—because a lot of people want/need these kinds of outlets in their life.”

Okay, MADDL, now it’s time for me to share my thoughts with you, but—Christ almighty—I hardly know where to begin.

your husband’s head and yank out his kink. (“I absolutely hate that therapists are seen as sexual enforcers who are supposed to carve away any undesirable sexual interests and make people ‘normal,’” said Dr. Ley.)

You’re clearly not interested in understanding your husband’s kink, per Pup Jackson’s advice, nor are you open to working out an accommodation that allows your husband to explore his kink on his own, per Dr. Ley’s advice. Instead you’ve convinced yourself that if you pitch a big enough fit, your husband will choose a spouse who makes him feel terrible about himself over a kink that gives him pleasure. And that’s not how this is going to play out.

Your husband told you he was into diapers before he married you—he laid his kink cards on the table at five months, long before you scrambled your DNA together—and he backed down when you freaked out. He may have thought he could choose you over his kink, MADDL, but now he knows what Dr. Ley could’ve told you two before the wedding: Suppressing a kink just isn’t possible. So if you can’t live with

the diaper lover you married—if you can’t accept his kink, allow him to indulge it on his own, and refrain from blowing up when you stumble onto any evidence—do that diaper-loving husband of yours a favor and divorce him.

Follow Dr. David Ley on Twitter @ DrDavidLey and Pup Jackson on Twitter @ pupjacksonbitez.

I’m a 33-year-old man, and for years I’ve practiced edging. Recently I’ve experimented with long-term edges, where I’ll withhold coming for days or weeks while still maintaining a daily masturbation practice. I love living on that horny edge, and I’ve even learned to love the ache in my balls. But is this safe? Am I setting myself up for prostate/testicular trouble down the road? –Priapus Precipice

A study conducted by researchers from Boston University School of Public Health and Harvard

T. H. Chan School of Public Health found that men who masturbated at least 21 times per month—masturbated and ejaculated—were at lower risk of developing prostate cancer than men who ejaculated less than 21 times per month (“Ejaculation Frequency and Risk of Prostate Cancer,” European Urology). Read the study, PP, weigh the slightly increased risks against the immediate (and horny) rewards, and make an informed (and horny) choice.

A Disgusting Diaper Lover

First, MADDL, let’s calmly discuss this with a shrink.

“There’s a fair bit of controversy over whether people can suppress fetishistic desires like this— and whether it’s healthy to ask them to do so,” said Dr. David Ley, a clinical psychologist, author, and AASECT-certified sex therapist. “Personally, I believe in some cases, depending on the support of their environment and personal relationships, it is possible, but only when these desires are relatively mild in intensity.”

Your husband’s interest in diapers—which would seem to go all the way back to at least age 7—can’t be described as mild.

“Given the apparent strength and persistence of her husband’s interest, I think it unlikely that suppression could ever be successful,” said Dr. Ley. “In this case, I think MADDL’s desire for her husband to have sexual desires

“Great guys” can be into diapers; this is not who your husband “chooses to be,” since people don’t choose their kinks any more than they choose their sexual orientation; outing your hus -

band to his mother was unforgivable and could ultimately prove to be a fatal-to-yourmarriage violation of trust; a counselor isn’t going to be able to reach into

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

ACROSS

1 Conductor Georg

6 T’wolves’ org.

9 Small collision

13 Feather scarf

16 “What kind of donuts do you like, Mickey?”

19 ___ and His Dog

20 Vacation city

21 “How would you describe my character in Young Frankenstein, Teri?”

23 “What should I do

71

136

137 See 131 Across

76

80

DOWN

1 Seed of a sort

2 Miami Vice co-star

3 Love Story composer

4 Editor Brown

5 Very worried

6 “___ for long”

7 Marsh

8 Some

9 Fumble cause, at times

10 Longtime underground rock group, Pere ___

11 Soft-leather shoes, for short

12 It means “fat,” not a lunch in the park

13 Type of general

14 Lubricates

15 “You’ve got mail!” company

17 Chew (on)

18 Town near Lompoc, Calif., Santa ___

21 Twelvesome: abbr.

22 Whitney et al.

24 ___ metabolism rate

28 Cut, as branches

31 Barbarous barber

33 Whoop ___

34 Davis who directed Guncrazy and Billy Madison

38 Tribulations

40 Actor Jannings

42 Dough

43 Fortified

44 Tracing place

45 Bart or Beavis, e.g.