Creative Loafing Tampa — May 11, 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, Michael

Murillo, Jennifer Ring, Arielle Stevenson

PHOTOGRAPHERS Dave Decker

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SUMMER INTERN Gracey Davis

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MARKETING, PROMOTIONS AND EVENTS DIRECTOR

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

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

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The Mayor is supportive of this idea.

St. Pete advances right to counsel for tenants facing eviction, p. 15.

do this

Be Fabulous Music & Arts Fest

Formerly known as the Harvey Milk Festival, local nonprofit Fabulous Arts Foundation once again hosts its annual celebration of arts, community and queer joy. Miami rock band Palomino Blond (pictured) headlines the festival alongside Sarasota-based synth-rock act MeteorEYES, Tampa’s own Proud Miranda, DJ DaliGanja and many more acts. Keynote speakers at 2023’s festival include the recently-ousted, former New College Chief Diversity Officer Yoleidy Rosario-Hernandez and Zander Moricz, a 2022 high school graduate who made headlines after suing the state of Florida over DeSantis’ alleged “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The festival’s opening night—which takes place on Friday, May 12—also features a drag culture history exhibition that happens at The Ringling’s Community Gallery. This weekend marks the 13th year that this Sarasota-based organization hosts its queer celebration. Saturday, May 13. 3 p.m.-10 p.m. $5-$7. Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota. fabaf.org—Kyla Fields

Alice at Jobsite Theater Jobsite Theater’s enjoyed quite a run as of late, and fans of the company’s morbidly hilarious “Shockheaded Peter” won’t want to skip out on “Alice.” Lewis Carroll’s story of the young girl who fell through a rabbit hole is well-known, but it gets the cabaret treatment in downtown Tampa, plus new original music—” ranging in style from weird polkas to the musical theater stylings of Kurt Weill” according to Jobsite—by Jeremy Douglass and his daughter Juniper. Aerial hoop sequences and choreography come care of Katrina Stevenson and Kasondra Rose, and puppets will range from single-person minis to pieces requiring operation by four performers. Previews happened on Wednesday, with performances happening this weekend through a 4 p.m. Mother’s Day matinee. The show runs through June 4. Thursday-Sunday, May 11-14, $29.50 & up. Shimberg Playhouse at Jobsite Theater, David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N Macinnes Pl., Tampa. jobsitetheater.org—Ray Roa

Tampa Bay Chalk Festival St. Pete’s historic Deuces district will soon be covered in brightly-colored art—but you’ll have to look down to notice it. Pinellas Diaspora Arts Project hosts the inaugural Tampa Bay Chalk Festival in an effort to continue their mission of supporting local Black and brown artists. “This is an opportunity to bring together the community of artists, recreation centers, youth providers, and businesses, in addition to showcasing professional artists’ chalk work from near and far,” says festival organizer Debbie Yati Garrett. “And most importantly, it gives our children a day of art expression by using chalk and having fun.” Come out to the first installment of this locally-organized festival and watch as south St. Pete is beautified with a kaleidoscope of colorful squares. Attendees are also encouraged to support restaurants along the Deuces corridor, including Lorene’s Fish House, Heavy’s and more. Saturday, May 13. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Historic 22nd St. S Business District, 22nd Street S between 7th Avenue S and 9th Avenue S. tampabaychalkfestival.com—Kyla Fields

DAVE DECKER

CITYOFSTPETE/FLICKR

American Stage in the Park: 'Ragtime' It’s the final weekend to catch "Ragtime," American Stage’s outdoor recreation of E. L. Doctorow’s 1975 novel which confronts many issues: immigration, racism, socialism, women’s rights, industrialization, and the labor movement. Music Director Latoya McCormick, reigning Theatre Tampa Bay award winner for “Crowns,” leads a tight, well-drilled nine-piece band while Sutherlin guides her superb cast of 23 with a sure hand for these final four performances happening over the next four nights.Thursday-Sunday, May 11-14, 7:30 p.m. $28 & up. Demens Landing, Bayshore Drive & 2nd Avenue SE, St. Petersburg. americanstage.org—Jon Palmer Claridge

Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Festival

If you’ve ever attended Water Works Park’s annual Lunar New Year celebration, then you already know what to expect from the inaugural Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Festival. The City of Tampa hosts this cultural celebration to honor this year’s installment of Asian American Pacific Islander (stylized as “AAPI”) Heritage month. Throughout the day, attendees can enjoy dances, traditional music, martial arts demonstrations and other performances on the big stage, while partaking in other cultural workshops and activities. This event is family-friendly and free to attend, but you might want to bring cash for its multitude of local food and merchandise vendors. There will be dozens of food trucks and vendors dishing out delectable eats from countries like Japan, Korea, China, and the Philippines (although we hope to see some Pacific Islander representation, too.) Saturday, May 13. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Curtis Hixon Park, 600 N Ashley Dr., Tampa. tampa.gov—Kyla Fields

Tampa Bay Rowdies v. Detroit City FC

The Tampa Bay Rays are absolutely crushing Major League Baseball right now, but Stuart Sternberg’s other team is in the early stages of its season, too. Sitting at fourth in the USL Championship’s Eastern conference, the Tampa Bay Rowdies host Detroit City FC this weekend, powered not only by team mainstay Lucky Mkosana but midfielder Charlie Dennis who’s taken the wheel for set pieces and been able to connect with teammates on through balls that end with great goal scoring chances. It’s way too early in the Rowdies and Rays seasons to predict anything, but with the Lightning watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs from home and the Bucs licking their wounds after Tom Brady’s retirement, Champa Bay seems to be more prevalent in the 727 than the 813 as of late. Oh, it’s BOGO Bud Light night, too, so expect Ralph’s Mob to be extra, well, rowdy. Saturday, May 13, 7:30 p.m. $15 & up. Al Lang Stadium, 230 1st St. SE, St. Petersburg. rowdiessoccer.com

Ray Roa

C/O JASMINE DRAGON CHILI CO.

Heat is on

Photos by

Dave Decker

Last Sunday, temperatures climbed to the high80s in Tampa. Still, an estimated 300 heated local democrats led by Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried took to Ybor City to stand united against Gov. Ron DeSantis who oversaw a 60-day legislative session that expanded anti-LGBTQ and immigration laws, brought us closer to radioactive roads, gave landlords more power over renters, and threatened to send more fertilizer runoff flowing towards our springs. DeSantis still has an opportunity to veto the legislation in the weeks ahead, but Fried, joined by party figures like former state rep (and current state senate candidate) Carlos Guillermo

Smith and newly-sworn-in District 1 Tampa City Councilman Alan Clendenin, wasted no time speaking up about how concerned they are about the direction the state is headed. The party has its work cut out for it—especially when it comes to winning over the states 4 million independent voters and closing the 454,918 gap between registered Democrats and Republicans—but members took to the streets for a march from Ybor City’s Centennial Park, up and around Seventh Avenue and into the Dirty Shame for a post-rally mixer.

See all the photos via cltampa.com/slideshows.

—Ray Roa

Shelter from St. Pete advances right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.

By Arielle Stevenson

St. Pete City Council’s Youth and Family Services (YFS) committee recently voted

3-1 to draft a resolution recommending that the administration create a citywide right to counsel for tenants facing eviction. The vote comes more than a year after councilmember and YFS vice-chair Richie Floyd first brought up the issue.

“When we’re saying it’s a right to counsel… it’s that the city’s gonna make sure there’s legal counsel for everyone facing this,” Floyd said. “It’s saying that someone will be there to answer your questions, review your case, and give you advice.”

The resolution will go to the full council next, and if approved will ask the administration to move forward with a citywide right to counsel program that provides pro bono services for eviction prevention. The resolution will also say that the city council supports the administration expanding the program and looking into paying funds into a court registry to aid with eviction prevention.

“Sometimes attorneys do help people stay in their homes,” Foster said. “But minimally, and we say this during COVID, it’s that negotiating the time to leave their home that made a real difference for a lot of families.”

A “pilot” version of the program is approved for $100,000 in South St. Pete using Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) funds to help fund eviction diversion.

“The Mayor is supportive of this idea and the administration is supportive,” Amy Foster, community and neighborhood affairs administrator, said at the meeting. “I do think we want to see what happens in the CRA and we may be able to bring back more information once that gets off the ground. But in general, we’re supportive of this request for legal representation.”

According to city attorney Brad Tennant, Florida law and the city charter prevents city council from creating an ordinance in this instance. A resolution allows the council to make their desires known to Mayor Ken Welch and his administration with clear guidelines. Council will then vote to approve funding if and when the administration decides to move forward. Then legal aid can apply to get a contract with the city to provide those services. “We can’t just employ someone to do this, it’s not allowed in

Florida,” Tennant said. “So in our circumstance, we have to have a third party representing that third party.”

Amid talks of the right to counsel, the city hired its first-ever community support specialist last year to connect residents facing eviction with resources. Beatriz Zafra started in the position last fall, and of the 821 evictions filed over a five-month period, 117 were diverted. On average, the past due amount was $3,159.

“We’ve talked to housing providers…this is something that they’re actually interested in,” Floyd said. “Because it costs money to evict someone.”

A 2022 study of eviction and poverty by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that over 2 million American households face eviction each year. The study also found that homelessness was rare for tenants involved in housing courts. But evictions resulted in 3,600 adults staying in emergency shelters a year later after eviction. And 2,500 adults were still accessing homelessness services another year later.

SB 1586 passed the Senate this month (after its companion bill passed the house two days earlier), prohibiting any local tenant protections in favor of state regulations. So far, it doesn’t appear right to counsel would violate the new law.

HOUSING

Council member Ed Montanari cited concerns about the recent settlement the City of Tampa had to pay for its attempted ban on conversion therapy for minors. The city lost its case to the tune of $950,000 as a result of the state’s preemption laws. According to Tennant, because the city can’t directly represent citizens and a third party must be used, the city is likely protected from being successfully sued. Montanari voted against the resolution and said it was “a bridge too far.”

“At this time, we do not believe that this would impact our ability to support legal services providers,” Tennant said. If the city council and Welch’s administration approve the resolution, money (outside of the CRA) for the program will likely come from the general fund.

“I want to be clear here that we’re not interjecting into the tenant-landlord relationship here,” Floyd said. “We’re simply giving tenants a tool to use the laws that are on the books at the state level to the best of their ability.”

As of now, there are no income restrictions and all residents facing eviction would be able to access the citywide program.

TAKES TIME: Councilman Richie Floyd first brought up tenant right to counsel a year ago.

DAVE DECKER

“Someone will be there to answer your questions.”

RESTAURANTS RECIPES DINING GUIDES

Triple threat

Chef Suzanne Lara announces new multifaceted concept, slated to debut in Tampa next year.

By Kyla Fields

Seasoned Tampa chef Suzanne Lara, who was widely known as Suzanne Crouch before getting married last year, announced the opening of her upcoming, bar, from-scratch kitchen and artisan marketplace a few weeks ago. The multifaceted concept deemed “Lara,” an ode to her newly-acquired last name, is set to open sometime in 2024.

Although a building for this exciting culinary and hospitality concept has yet to be secured, Suzanne tells Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that Tampa Heights is the ideal neighborhood due to its centralized location.

Lara will offer three unique experiences— a bar, a bazaar full of locally-grown produce, artisan goods and hard-to-find ingredients and supplies for chefs, and an intimate kitchen which Suzanne describes as Lara’s “supporting member.” Suzanne stresses that Lara’s bar won’t draw the typical late night, rowdy crowd one might expect. She tells CL that it will be more of a well-rounded beverage bar inspired by the Greek word “pharmakeia,” which was once used to describe a wide range of elixirs, remedies and apothecaries.

adventurous home chef might want to utilize.She says Lara will carry bottarga, a hard-to-source, cured fish roe pouch that’s often grated over dishes to give an “umami ocean parmesan” taste.

Suzanne—who just recently turned 40— moved to Tampa when she was 18. She started as a dishwasher at the now-closed Tampa institution Viva La Frida and worked her way up as a cook, stating that the lively restaurant and art gallery “changed her life.” After a few formative years at Viva la Frida, she helped open Seminole Heights staple Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe and remained its executive chef for a decade before helping Cass Street Deli open in 2019. During the height of 2020’s pandemic, she led efforts to feed thousands of laid off hospitality workers under Edward Lee Initiative’s Restaurant Workers Relief Program.

OPENINGS & CLOSINGS

“The focal point of this concept will be the bar—but our whole approach is that we want folks to be stimulated in some way that’s not just intoxication,” Suzanne says. “It will provide an exciting and inclusive place for social drinking anew.”

In terms of its brasserie-style kitchen, ingredients offered at its marketplace will often be utilized in its dishes, since sustainable business practices and cross-utilization of products are a core part of Lara’s ethos.

“We want our menu to reflect the seasonality of the market and be as zero waste as possible,” Suzanne tells CL. “We aim to celebrate Florida’s vast food diaspora, from West African and Latin to Chinese and Vietnamese culture—we’ll pay a little influence to everything that surrounds us.”

Produce from local purveyors like Sweetwater, Brick Street and Meacham Urban Farm will be featured in Lara’s marketplace, in addition to specialty ingredients that any professional or

When Suzanne joined the Bib Gourmandawarded kitchen at Rooster & The Till as a sous chef in 2021, she knew her time there was temporary since she was finalizing Lara’s business plan. Like Rooster & The Till, she plans to offer a four-day workweek at Lara, in hopes of helping her staff achieve work-life balance (something that the restaurant industry isn’t particularly known for.)

With the help of her business partner and friend Jay York—founder of local marketing company Grove Brands, who’s written for CL—the right investors, and a solid team behind her, Suzanne will finally see her longtime dreams of owning her restaurant come into fruition. She’s been cutting her teeth in Tampa kitchens for the better part of two decades, and her new bar and market will finally allow her to channel years of experience and technique into a unique culinary and community-focused concept.

“It’s going to be a place where folks will get good value—we don’t want to charge anyone for prestige,” Suzanne says. “We want to help bridge the gap between fine and casual dining.”

For the latest updates on Lara, its buildout, and highly-anticipated opening date, head to laratampa.com or follow its Instagram at @lara.tampa.

VIVA, VROOM! : Suzanne Lara started her 20 year career at Tampa’s famed Viva La Frida.

CHEF SUZANNE LARA/INSTAGRAM

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Good gourmands

Tampa gets more Michelin Bibs, Seminole Heights’ Mermaid Tavern closes, and more local foodie news.

By Kyla Fields and Ray Roa

This Thurday in South Florida, inspectors will release their full 2023 Michelin Guide, but last week the company awarded two new Bib Gourmands to a pair of Tampa restaurants on opposite sides of the city. NoHo Greek favorite Psomi, and Gorkhali Kitchen, a Himalayan spot in New Tampa, earned Bibs in last week’s update.

According to Michelin Guide, Bib Gourmand restaurants offer a meal of good quality at a good value. Last year, three Tampa restaurants—Rooster & the Till, Ichicoro and Rocca—earned bibs. Those concepts could very well still have Bibs, be downgraded, or upgraded to stars when a full update to the Florida Michelin Guide happens on May 11 during a ceremony in Miami.

Closings

Bay Cannon Beer Co. officially closes West Tampa taproom, says its ‘brand isn’t leaving for good’ As of last week, Tampa Bay is down one craft brewery. Bay Cannon Beer Co.— located at 2106 W Main St.—took to Facebook to announce the official closure of its West Tampa taproom.

FOOD NEWS

“We release just the new Bib Gourmands a week in advance to build excitement, but we don’t provide the full list in order to save some intrigue for the ‘live reveal’ at the ceremony,” a rep for the Michelin Guide told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “We have to wait to find out!” Last month, Michelin added three Tampa restaurants—Lilac, Ponte and Noble Rice—to its Florida guide.

No local restaurants won stars last year, and as previously reported, Michelin inspectors do not visit Pinellas restaurants because bringing the guide to the Sunshine State was an effort coordinated by Visit Florida, Visit Orlando, Visit Tampa Bay and Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau. Restaurants in Orlando and Winter Garden (Isan Zaap, Norigami, Otto’s High Dive, Taste of Chengdu), plus Miami (Rosie’s, Jaguar Sun) were also included in last week’s update.

In a blog post, Michelin praised the breadth of the menu at New Tampa strip mall spot, Gorkhali Kitchen—located at 10044 Cross Creek Blvd.—and noted its focus on Nepalese cuisine with a touch of Indian influence. “Of course, there must be momo, those iconic Nepalese dumplings that are seared, pan-fried or even in jhol (soup). Chicken is a popular protein that appears often on the menu, but don’t shy away from the goat specialties. They’re falling-offthe-bone tender and savory,” inspectors wrote.

Off N Howard Avenue near downtown Tampa, Psomi’s second-generation owneroperator Christina Theofilos saw her bakery and brunch mecca earn high marks for the warm ambience and menu items like octopus ceviche and dolma (basically the Greek version of grape leaves). “Of course, with a name that translates to bread, there must be baked goods and you’ll find it all here,” Michelin added about Psomi.

“Due to a plethora of twists and turns we’ve weathered and managed together, Bay Cannon will no longer operate the Main St. facility,” the brewery wrote on Facebook. “We are selling the building and all of its contents, as is, for the next operator.” The 3,700 square-foot brewery is listed on loopnet.com for $1,950,000. The listing includes not only the building, but all the kitchen and brewery equipment, too.

Bay Cannon Beer Co. made its long-awaited debut in West Tampa just four years ago. It’s not all bad news though, since the brewery promised

shooting left a woman dead outside of the brewery’s doors. It remained closed as the business repaired its storefront, but owner Matthew Juaire also told Fox 13 that it was “too dangerous to stay open.” The brewery states that it was trying to find a way to reopen after last year’s incident, but ultimately decided to close its doors.

After 2022’s shooting, Juaire spoke at multiple West Tampa Redevelopment Area Community Advisory Committee meetings, calling for a higher police presence throughout Main Street. In February, TPD announced that it was amping up surveillance in West Tampa and now has plain-clothed squads patrolling the area during the daytime, according to ABC Action News.

Seminole Heights bar and pub Mermaid Tavern has closed A popular, divey Tampa bar has closed in Seminole Heights. Last week, Mermaid Tavern’s co-owner Lux Devoid confirmed that the bar has officially shuttered its

updating,” Devoid wrote on Facebook. “The landlord was not only refusing repairs but increasing the rent significantly. I was not willing to throw in $75-100k to rehab a building I don’t own.”

DeVoid and Becky Flanders opened their Seminole Heights bar back in 2011, which quickly gained popularity due to its vast selection of craft brews and menu of beer-friendly eats. But over the past few years the Seminole Heights hotspot found itself under the microscope.

In 2016 Mermaid was grilled in Laura Reilly’s James Beard and Pulitzer-nominated “Farm To Fable” exposé that investigated local restaurants’ locally-sourced claims.

Recently, the concept garnered a contentious reputation among local residents, mainly stemming from the owners’ political views and brazen opinions about the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, Tampa-based journalist Timothy Burke posted a clip from a local school board meeting where Flanders compared mask mandates to full-blown fascism, among other anti-vaxx sentiments.

Last year, former CL reporter Justin Garcia reported that Mermaid Tavern hosted a fundraiser for the right-wing anti-vaxxer and Moms for Freedom co-founder Alysha “Aly Marie” Legge, who attempted to win a seat on the Hillsborough County School Board. In addition to hosting the fundraising event, Mermaid Tavern also donated 20% of their food and drink sales to her campaign.

Openings

‘70s-themed disco club Good Night John Boy is now open in downtown St. Pete St. Pete’s newest bar and dance club is finally making its long-awaited debut. 1970s-themed Good Night John Boy—located at 16 2nd St. N right next to Jannus Live—celebrated its grand opening late last month.

that it wasn’t permanently saying goodbye to Tampa Bay’s craft beer scene just yet.

“That being said, Bay Cannon will begin making its rounds throughout the Bay area again soon. Our brand and flavors aren’t leaving for good, so be on the lookout for more news there,” its social media post continues. “We hope you’ll continue to support us as you see us around town in the future.”

Although Bay Cannon just announced its official closure, its doors have actually been closed since December 2022. Bay Cannon Beer Co. made headlines last year after a deadly

doors at 6719 N Nebraska Ave.

Mermaid Tavern is also listed as “permanently closed” on both Google and its Facebook, although the business hadn't updated its patrons on any social media pages when this story went live.

Devoid took to social media to discuss Mermaid’s closure, citing the building’s “roof leaks, moisture issues and termites,” among other issues.

“To help end the speculation, Mermaid was in an on-going lease negotiation. The 70 yearold plus building needed significant repair and

The bar’s website says it’s open from 4 p.m. “until late” on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 2 p.m.-late on Fridays and noon-late on Saturdays and Sundays. And if you’re trying to spend some bread, Good Night John Boy’s social media says you can inquire about bottle service by texting 727-486-9467. The bar and dance club will dish out all types of beer in addition to its kitschy signature cocktail menu.

Last February, parent company Forward Hospitality Group announced that its 1970s-themed dance club would take over Ringside Cafe’s former downtown space. The same Ohio-based hospitality group also operates newly-opened country bar Welcome to the Farm (stylized as “WTF), which is open out of downtown St. Pete’s former MacDinton’s space. continued on page 29

DRIVING THE NEWS: Tampa restaurants earned at least three new Michelin bibs this year.

continued from page 27

For the latest updates on St. Pete’s newest club and bar, head to its Instagram at @ johnboystpete.

Florida Avenue Brewing Co.’s newest taproom is now open in Seminole Heights A prominent Tampa Bay brewery has made a highly-anticipated homecoming to its original neighborhood. Florida Avenue Brewing Co. opened its Seminole Heights brewery and taproom—located at 4315 N Florida Ave.—on Friday, May 5.

The 4,000-square-foot space serves as a taproom and small-batch brewery, dishing out all of Florida Avenue Brewing Co.’s popular beers, like the “You’re My Boy, Blue” blueberry wheat ale and its “Dead Parrot” light lager. Overall, the new brewery boasts 16 taps, a full liquor bar, shaded patio seating and an on-site

kitchen. A brand new beer was also available on draft at last week’s grand opening, aptlynamed the “Coming Home” double IPA.

In February, CEO Anthony Derby told CL that the new Seminole Heights taproom will most likely host an official grand opening party after it transitions out of the soft opening phase. In addition to a variety of beer, wine and cocktails, its on-site food trailer will dish out a spread of beer-friendly eats like pub pretzels, cheesesteak egg rolls, hot chicken sandwiches, salads and flatbreads.

small-batch beers and exclusive releases by utilizing “cutting-edge technology and new hop products.”

FOOD NEWS

Derby recently told CL that his company was making concerted efforts to merge Florida Avenue and his other business Brew Bus Brewing into a single entity. While the beer tourism side of Brew Bus is still going strong, all of its former beers are now being brewed and marketed under the Florida Avenue Brewing Co. umbrella.

Coming soon

Tampa’s historic Floridan Palace Hotel announces new restaurant ‘The Dan,’ slated to open later this month One of downtown Tampa’s most notable historic landmarks will soon unveil its newest (and swankiest) addition.

The historic Floridan Palace Hotel—located at 905 N Florida Ave. just down the street from CL's office—plans to open its new restaurant The Dan next weekend on Saturday, May 20, according to a press release.

In late 2020, Florida Avenue Brewing Co. opened a 38,000-square-foot sibling location in Wesley Chapel.

While most of its core beers will be produced at its massive Wesley Chapel facility, its Seminole Heights location will still brew

For the latest news on Florida Avenue’s newest location, head to its Facebook or Instagram, both at @floridaavebrewing.

According to its website, Florida Avenue Brewing Co.’s newest taproom is open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon-8 p.m. on Sundays.

The Dan will replace the hotel’s former signature restaurant Sapphire Lounge, an old-school eatery that was known for its classic cocktails and upscale American eats. Inspired by the Roaring ‘20s with a New Orleans-style approach to cuisine, The Dan will be a “modern take on old-school speakeasies.”

continued on page 31

NEW BLUE: The Dan replaces Floridan Hotel’s Sapphire Lounge.

continued from page 29

Although there’s no menu listed on its website just yet, photos depict raw oysters, fresh seafood dishes, beignets and fancy cotton candy. The Dan’s website also promises live jazz music and entertainment.

In addition to opening its brand new restaurant, The Floridan Palace might soon go by another name entirely. According to the Tampa Bay Times, the hotel’s new owners—investment firm 1754 Properties—recently filed a historic preservation tax exemption application which proposed a name change, among other renovations. The application states that the hotel’s prospective name is “Hotel Flor.” The Floridan Palace’s new restaurant is just a small facet of the hotel’s $25 million dollar renovations.

It seems like the historic hotel has already redesigned its website to promote its new name “Flor” alongside its upcoming restaurant and bar “Dan.” With a palm tree acting as an “I” between the two words, the concepts can read as “Floridan” together. For the latest information on The Dan and its grand opening, head to dineatthedan.com or follow its Instagram at @thedantampa.

Events

12th annual Cuban Sandwich Festival returns to Ybor City this month If you’re looking for an activity to do Memorial Day weekend (besides day drinking at the beach), then you can head to Ybor City’s 12th annual Cuban Sandwich Festival. This food and cultural festival returns to the heart of historic Ybor City on Sunday, May 28 from noon-6 p.m. Once again, Centennial Park at 1800 E 8th Ave. hosts this annual, free-to-attend event.

In addition to a spread of local vendors slinging their best Cuban sammies, this month’s festival will also feature a variety of live music and performances, salsa dance lessons, and other family-friendly activities. The grand finale of 2023’s festival will once again be its mission to create the largest Cuban sandwich in the world, where participants will attempt to beat last year’s record of 280 feet.

The same folks that organize Tampa’s annual Cuban Sandwich Festival organize other massive foodie events throughout the Sunshine State in cities like Fort Myers and Kissimmee. For more information on next month’s Cuban Sandwich Festival, head to its Facebook event page.

St. Augustine tiki favorite Boat Drinks is doing a Tampa pop-up this month Boat Drinks is a veritable oasis on the heavily-trafficked streets of tourist-laden historic downtown St. Augustine, and the Northern Florida tiki pioneer is bringing its state of mind to Tampa later this month. The concept—self-identified as a “ Nautical, tropical tavern and oyster bar featuring fresh seafood, fresh & frozen cocktails, and a huge rum selection”—announced plans

to take over Tampa Heights coffee shop King State from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. on Monday, May 22.

There’s no cover for the happy hour, which promises “nauti-tropical cocktails & slushy things, craveable crustaceans, crispy veggies, jerked bird & other Shanghai’d snacks.”

Boat Drinks co-founder Whitney Hobbs told CL that the menu will be limited compared to what she offers in St. Augustine, but will include her famous peel-and-eat shrimp, plantain chips and dips, and jerk chicken.

A flier for the event also promises wonky bivalves from Pelican Oyster Company, which farms its product in the waters of Apalachee Bay just south of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (it’s up there in the state’s armpit where the Florida peninsula meets the rest of the U.S.).

the fact that its single-estate origin allows for better traceability when it comes to how the sugarcane moves from the field to a glass. High ester content (a natural compound from fermentation that gives the spirit a diverse range of aromas and flavors) makes Worthy Park rums extra funky, too.

Many of the drinks will also feature the high-end French liqueur Giffard, Guess said, adding that there’ll also be mezcal margaritas and mezcal oyster shooters along with a sneak peak of a fermented Indigenous Mexican fermented pineapple beverage called Tepache Sazon.

The magazine deemed Seminole Heights’ Jug + Bottle as one of the “Best Beer Shops of 2023”—and it’s the only Tampa Bay shop that made the cut.

FOOD NEWS

“It’s an awesome shop that has something for everyone,” Khristopher Johnson—head brewer and co-owner of Green Bench Brewing Co.—told Wine Enthusiast, “They have a great selection of packaged beer, wine, vegan food and some beers on tap available for growler fills.”

Tepeche is less like kombucha, but more reminiscent of a beer, cider or even cava or prosecco.

“Humbled to be rubbing elbows with some amazing bottle shops on this list,” Jug + Bottle posted on social media in response to Wine Enthusiast’s shout out.

Located at 6203 N Florida Ave. in the heart of

The drink offerings include the pina colada featuring homemade mix, a goombay smash, Boat Drinks’ “Speedboat Captain” featuring cold brew coffee, lemon and mexican coke, plus the “Scuttlebutt Swizzle” with hibiscus, allspice, lime, bitters and soda. All of it will be blended with a wide array of rum from importer Back Bar Project.

Daniel Guess, a rep from importer Back Bar Project who has a byline on CL, said that most of the rum will come from Worthy Park. The distillery is just one of just six remaining Jamaican rum distilleries, and notable for its 100% copper pot distilled sugarcane plus

“Ours is a very clean, very beautiful style that is at once sour beer, kombucha, natty wine, cider, but none of these things as well,” Guess added.

Co-founder Rob Crabtree, will be on hand to help make it all happen, and so will three of Boat Drinks’ original bartenders: ceramicist Breanne Rupp, Joel Kollinger, and Jessie Lane.

ICYMI

Wine Enthusiast Magazine names Tampa’s Jug + Bottle as one of the ‘Best Beer Shops of 2023’ Wine Enthusiast Magazine, a national spirits publication, gave some love to a local mainstay last week.

Seminole Heights, Jug + Bottle has been dishing out specialty beers, wines and other beverages since 2015.The only other Florida-based bottle shop to make Wine Enthusiast’s “Best Beer Shops of 2023” list is Miami’s Union Beer Store.

Other local shops that recently received accolades from Wine Enthusiast include St. Pete’s CellarMasters and Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe, which landed on its “Best Beer Shops in the U.S.” list last year.

Jug + Bottle—which is also the home to vegan kitchen 3 Dot Dash—is open in Seminole Heights from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

HEIGHTS TIDE: St. Augustine’s Boat Drinks is popping into a popular Tampa neighborhood.

Momosas

Tampa Bay’s best Mother’s Day brunches, parties and events.

By Kyla Fields

From decadent, waterfront brunches and pre-fixe fine dining menus to laid-back yoga sessions and markets, there’s events for every type of mother. Here are 25 events at restaurants, hotels and other beautiful venues throughout Tampa Bay. Events listed happen Sunday, May 14 unless marked otherwise—see an abridged listing below and the full, updated version at cltampa.com/food.

Bon Appetit Besides offering some of the tastiest waterfront views in all of Tampa Bay, this Dunedin gem also hosts a Sunday brunch loaded with seafood entrees and elegant breakfast dishes, plus a complimentary glass of sparkling wine for mom. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $99.148 Marina Plaza, Dunedin. bonappetitrestaurant.com

Boulon Brasserie Treat your creator to a meal at Water Street’s newly-opened hotspot, which includes a complimentary glass of bubbly this Sunday. Although Boulon isn’t offering an exclusive menu, its everyday spread of locallysourced seafood and French entrees is enough of a treat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 1001 Water St., Tampa. boulontampa.com

In addition to a spread of local vendors, this event features soul food, a cozy fire pit and live music. 2 p.m.-8 p.m. 5944 34th St. N No. 20, St. Petersburg. cosmicfishkavabar.com

Don CeSar This beachside hotel offers a Mother’s Day brunch in its ballroom or dinner at its “Maritana” restaurant, which features a decadent spread of oysters, racks of lamb and caramelized scallops. Noon-10:30 p.m. $50-$150. 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. doncesar.com

DINING GUIDE

Hew Parlor & Chophouse The Fenway Hotel’s signature restaurant hosts an impressive brunch spread of smoked mussels, roasted cornish hen and seafood crepes—with coconut panna cotta and bourbon pecan pie for mom’s midday dessert. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. $75. 453 Edgewater Dr., Dunedin. hewchophouse.com

Hotel Haya This year, Haya’s chef offers a family-style, three course meal of smoked potato quiche, seared salmon and slow-roasted prime rib, with sides like parmesan-whipped potatoes and crispy brussels sprouts. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $65. 1412 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. hotelhaya.com

Bulla Gastrobar This South Tampa favorite offers a three course prix-fixe menu and bottomless mimosas, in addition to its everyday Spanish-inspired offerings. Moms receive a box of chocolates and a $20 gift card for their next visit, too. 11 a.m. 930 S Howard Ave., Tampa. bullagastrobar.com

Cosmic Fish Kava Bar One of The Burg’s many kava bars hosts an approachable Mother’s Day market that’s far from fancy white tablecloths.

The Karol Hotel This Clearwater-based restaurant offers a brunch buffet complete with multiple carving stations, eggs benny, oysters and cheesecake, alongside many more dishes. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $49. 2675 Ulmerton Rd., Clearwater. thekarolhotel.com

Tampa Edition The ballroom will transform into a garden oasis during this brunch, in addition to live jazz and an exclusive, one-of-akind menu. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $150. 500 Channelside Dr., Tampa. editionhotels.com/tampa

BAYSIDE BRUNCH: Dunedin’s Bon Appetit offers a waterfront brunch buffet for all the moms out there.

PHOTOGRAPHY

MOVIES THEATER ART CULTURE

Big shot

Meet the finalists for the St. Petersburg Month of Photography laureate.

By Jennifer Ring

It’s an exciting time for Tampa Bay-area photographers. We’re in the middle of the inaugural St. Petersburg Month of Photography month, and the city’s about to crown its first photo laureate who will “create a document of Tampa Bay life, events, and its people for a year.” Thirtytwo local photographers threw their portfolios into the hat. From these, SPMOP organizers narrowed it down to five finalists whose work is currently on display at the Morean Arts Center at 719 Central Ave.

Some of them, like Selina Roman and Jaime Aelavanthara, are already established as fine art photographers and photography professors in the Tampa Bay area. Others are students, journalists, musicians, and poets still making a name for themselves as photographers. All of them had interesting things to say when we asked them about inspiration, photography, and St. Pete. Here are St. Pete’s photo laureate finalists in their own words.

What’s your biggest source(s) of inspiration?

“The poetic reality of humanity— all of humanity—as I encounter it in its state of continuing creation. And the creative process. Simple acts, complex interactions and invisible actions. I like predicting, camera in hand, the wondrous exchanges.”

Thomas Sayers-Ellis

“As Chuck Close says, ‘Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work.’ It may sound like hubris, but I truly believe this. I draw influence from various sources, but I don’t wait to be inspired. I just follow intuition.”—Tristan

Wheelock

“My grandmother, Carol Upham, was my first inspiration. She introduced me to the world of photography and the art of storytelling. When I started to travel internationally, it then became my fuel of inspiration. Exploring new places and cultures while capturing the unique beauty and essence of each location is not only for me to revisit but also to share with others my perception of the world.”—Emily Will

“Florida is so mythic and mysterious—mermaids, mayhem and murder—to name a few. This state has always been my biggest source of inspiration at so many levels—the colors of its architecture, its history and its people, its mystery and myths. It continues to fascinate me, and I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else because my work is so rooted in the region.”

Selina Roman

shadows where both delight and despair can’t hide from exposure. Physical St. Pete and social St. Pete are uniquely layered in a great conversation about Florida, old world and new. I’m excited to be its visual listener.—TSE

“I have a long history with this community. I went to high school here. I left for years. I eventually returned and bought a house on a whim before prices skyrocketed. I’ve watched a great transformation begin, and I believe it will only continue. I love the idea of pointing a camera at that and creating a kind of historical record.”—TW

“My family contributed to the early history of St. Petersburg. Photographing the city I was born

from being in an urban setting, to white sand beaches, to a location that looks like it hasn’t changed since the Jurassic Period. Kayaking through the narrow mangrove tunnels at Weedon Island Preserve was an early immersion into Florida coastal wilderness and a place that kicked off the potentiality of the natural wonders that St. Pete has to offer.”—JA

What do you hope to accomplish with your images of St. Pete?

“A new alphabet, a reservoir of images that any curious eye can feast on and wonder about the many here-wheres and elsewheres that make up St. Pete, the kind of testimony that suggests that both geography and biology need one another in tropical life, one grand environment!”—TSE

“I hope to show people all sides of this community. There’s, of course, the small geographical pocket the people want to occupy, but there’s also an entire world outside of that. There is a lot of underrepresentation in our community. As a photojournalist by trade, I feel equipped to document and share the stories of those who aren’t heard or seen. It’s valuable; it might even be a catalyst for positive change.”—TW

“My main hope for photographing St. Pete is to showcase the beauty and individuality of the city, highlighting its distinctive features and landmarks, and capturing the essence of the local culture and lifestyle. I aim to create art that provokes thought, emotion, and a deeper understanding of the uniqueness of St. Pete.”—EW

“Outside of the visual arts, literature and the written word often inspire my image-making. I also find inspiration in my everyday surroundings, whether that’s a pocket of light, or a discovery made on a walk such as a bird’s nest, or an insect wing, or other found object that I can work into a photograph.”—Jaime

and raised in would be an honor and a privilege. I would love to honor their vision and showcase the growth and diversity the city has to offer while also learning more about my own home.”—EW

Aelavanthara

What excites you about the prospect of photographing St. Pete for a year?

“I’m a boots-on-the-ground photographer. I walk. I talk. I meet. I learn. I befriend the

“What excites me about the prospect of photographing St Pete for a year is going beyond the obvious and discovering the hidden gems that the area has to offer—places and people that may have been overlooked but still add so much to the fabric of the city.”—SR

“St. Pete is a multi-faceted, vast place to explore, and that excites me! You can go

“My work is about finding the beauty in non-traditional places. I want viewers to be surprised and see the city in ways which may not be familiar to them.”—SR

“I hope to capture a sense of magic in our everyday surroundings. I constantly think about how we are all connected in this world and what unites us; to me, that is the shared human condition. I hope to continue examining our connection with the natural environment, each other, and with the places we inhabit to create a shared experience and sense of connection.”—JA

SPMOP photo laureate award reception Saturday, May 13, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Free 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. spmop.org

THOMAS SAYERS-ELLIS

SIMPLE ACTS: Thomas Sayers-Ellis says he’s inspired by the poetic reality of humanity.

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Regan era

Brian Regan brings funny, not filthy, comedy to St. Pete.

By Michael Murillo

For decades, Brian Regan has been making audiences laugh on talk shows, comedy specials, and on his many live tours with his energetic observations and random thoughts. And he’s done it all while keeping the material clean. His latest trek takes him to St. Pete this weekend. Ahead of the show, we talked with Regan about getting started with Carson, doing some acting, keeping it clean, and his funny family.

In the ‘90s, you appeared on Johnny Carson and David Letterman. Today there isn’t really a “Carson” or “Letterman,” those rare shows that everybody watches and establishes that you’ve arrived as a comedian. If you were starting today, without those destination points but with many more opportunities to get your material to the public on your terms, would it be easier or harder? How would you go about building a career?

small role in his movie “Top Five.” If another acting opportunity came my way, I’d be very open to pursuing it. Maybe one day I will be lucky enough to do an underarm deodorant commercial.

You’re known for your clever material without being vulgar or dirty. Do you intentionally write that way, or does it just come naturally?

INTERVIEW

When I first started doing comedy, I wasn’t completely clean. In the early years, I guess about 5% of my act was “dirty.” I dropped that 5% because it didn’t feel natural to me. Right after I dropped that stuff, people would heckle, “Where’s the other 5%!?”

At your level, you probably aren’t hitting open mics on off nights. Is there a place you go to work out new material, or do you just fit it into your set?

If I was just now starting my stand-up comedy career, I’m not sure I’d know what to do. Years ago, I took Greyhound buses from one city to the other to audition at comedy clubs. If someone on one of those bus rides told me I should start a “podcast,” I would’ve gotten up and moved.

Many comedians land a television or movie role early on and ride that notoriety for several years. You’ve built your career differently, with steady writing and touring and being known as a stand-up comedian first and foremost. How has that affected your longevity, and has that made maintaining your success easier or more difficult?

I take pride in knowing that if someone comes to see my show, they are doing so simply because of my stand-up comedy. They couldn’t know me from anything else. Well, I guess some people might be coming out because they remember my Pilot Pen commercial from 1993.

You’ve also done a fair amount of acting, such as your regular role on the acclaimed series “Loudermilk.” Is that something you’d like to do more regularly, and would that require scaling back your stand-up schedule?

I’m glad Peter Farrelly cast me in Loudermilk. It meant a lot to me to show some acting chops. Chris Rock was also kind enough to give me a

I always try new stuff by just sticking into my regular shows. If something new doesn’t work, that’s fine. Audiences are cool with foul balls. Wouldn’t it be weird at a baseball game, if everyone left after the first foul ball?

Your brother, Dennis, has also had a successful stand-up career. Do you ever bounce ideas off each other, or offer up tags or advice when hearing the other’s material?

Dennis and I like each other’s comedy quite a bit. Occasionally, one of us might offer the other a small piece of advice. For example, once I got off stage and Dennis said to me, “Try not to be so stupid.”

You come from a family of eight children. Which of your siblings (who isn’t already doing stand-up) is the funniest, and why?

All my brothers and sisters are funny. I think my oldest brother, Mike, is hysterical. If you asked him a yes or no question, it wouldn’t matter if he answered yes or no, his answer would be funny.

As someone who uses observational comedy, what you “observe” has probably changed over the decades as you move through different stages of life. Does that change how you find funny things, or what things you find funny? How is your process different than when it was when you were starting out?

I like to do “observational” comedy. But I also like to throw some absurd stuff in there as well.

You sell a number of your pre-Netflix specials on your website, brianregan.com. We assume that means you own a lot of your content. How important is it for comedians (and perhaps artists in general) to maintain control of the material they create, and what would

you say to newer comedians who might have to choose between owning their content and gaining access to a platform that would improve their visibility?

I wish I knew more about the business side of things, but I try to be as smart as I can be when it comes to that stuff. Usually after I make a business decision, my brother Dennis will say to me, “Try not to be so stupid.”

5-PERCENTER: Brian Regan said he took the dirty bits out of his comedy a while ago.

JEFFERY

GARLAND/NETFLIX

Brian Regan

Friday, May 12, 8 p.m. $48 & up. Duke Energy Center for the Arts at Mahaffey Theater. 400 1st St. S, St. Petersburg. themahaffey.com

“When I first started doing comedy, I wasn’t completely clean.”

Guard your feelings

James Gunn turns in a three-quel that works on almost every level.

By John W. Allman

Prepare for the feels. That’s really the best advice one can be given going into “Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 3,” a rare three-quel that works on almost every level. I say almost because writer-director James Gunn leaves it all on his sleeve with his concluding adventure starring this particular iteration of the Guardians.

I had no idea, none, of the origin story that Gunn had planned for “Volume 3.” I thought, like many people, I suspect, that this final outing would lean heavy into Adam Warlock (Will Poulter). Imagine my glee when I discovered that Gunn’s final chef’s kiss was to give Rocket Raccoon center stage for much of the tale.

“Volume 3” also is—not surprisingly—very, very funny. There’s a fantastic bit involving Gunn acting troupe mainstay Nathan Fillion and an even funnier sequence once the Guardians land on Counter Earth seeking a way to save Rocket’s life. But what elevates this above recent Marvel Studios releases is its heart.

Gunn is a Guardian, and a Ravager, and a perpetual kid explorer who can’t help but brag because his talent backs him up, but I challenge you not to get misty-eyed early and often throughout, especially during the extended flashbacks to Rocket’s early life with his first friends.

FILM & TV

Gunn remains such an iconic anomaly in genre cinema. He can play with equal verve in both the Marvel and DC sandboxes. He has a knack for team-and-world-building that surpasses most, if not all, of his peers. And his gift for dialogue, his ability to tap into the rhythm of conversation, particularly between people who are capable of both loving and loathing one another at the most unexpected moments, remains a singular talent for which Gunn can never be bested.

Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 3

I can easily imagine Gunn having a good cry in the editing bay watching what he had conceived come to life, this earnest and inclusive and loving gang of misfits who never fail to display the best qualities, the most important qualities, whenever challenged or told they can’t.

Though a little long, but not in a way that feels overlong, Gunn mines Rocket’s origins as a laboratory test study for The High Evolutionary (think God, but even more Old Testament) while also introducing Warlock (sure to be a major player soon) and giving fans a different experience and perspective than we’re used to between Star-Lord and Gamora.

The MCU is better because of the Guardians of the Galaxy. As fans, we’re better because of the time we’ve spent with them these past nine years (?!?). It’s crazy to think about that passage of time. When the tally on comic book movies is eventually counted, and these superhero films are judged equally and ranked, I truly believe that this trilogy deserves to be near the top of the pack. And depending on how well Gunn does shepherding the creative overhaul of the DC Films universe and delivering something truly special with the new “Superman” film, he may well be represented on both sides of the aisle.

FLY THE COOPER: Rocket Racoon, voiced by Bradley Cooper, takes center stage.

MARVEL

Tom Jones: Here We Stand is organized by the Museum of Wisconsin Art Tom Jones, Peyton Grace Rapp, from Strong Unrelenting Spirits series, 2018, Inkjet print and beadwork, Collection of Ken Karol and Greg French. Image credit: Museum of Wisconsin Art, West Bend, Wisconsin.

A member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin, Tom Jones’s photographs explore issues of identity and geographic place within Native American communities.

By Josh Bradley & Ray Roa C CL

THU 11

Anders Osborne Days after playing New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and on the heels of a summer visiting teacher gig at Tulane University’s Creative Industries Program, Osborne is doing a brief series of acoustic gigs across Florida, including one inside Ybor City’s best listening room. The 56-year-old Swedish singer-songwriter has been covered by the likes of Brad Paisley, Trombone Shorty, and Jonny Lang, so don’t be too surprised if you hear something you didn’t know was an Osborne original. (The Attic at Rock Brothers Brewing Co., Ybor City)

Gipsy Kings Described as “traditional flamenco styles with Western pop and Latin rhythms,” French band Gipsy Kings is about as multi-ethnic as Tampa Bay itself. The quintet—which hits the road with lead guitarist Tonino Baliardo—brings its first studio album in six years, Savor Flamenco , to Tampa Bay. (Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa)

FRI 12

The Brook & The Bluff w/Savannah Conley The Alabama-originated quartet has spent most of its time writing and recording mostly acoustic guitar-based material in Nashville, as a good number of musicians do at some point. While we hope that three-part harmonies ala Crosby, Stills, and Nash are in the band’s future, its current run of shows wraps up with what appears to be a Tampa Bay debut. Fellow Nashvillian singer-songwriter Savannah Conley opens. (Crowbar, Ybor City)

An Evening With Jeff Scott Soto & Jason Bieler Prog and hard-rock fans have a sweet opportunity to catch members of Yngwie Malmsteen’s band (vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, who had a very brief stint with Journey) and Saigon Kick (lead guitarist Jason Bieler) play a free show. The pair played together in Swedish hard-rock outfit Talisman for 16 years, so expect to hears songs from across the breadth of their careers. (Hard Rock Cafe at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa)

Moon Jam: Keegan Matthews Trio w/ Max Kipnis/Dany Fuentes With his band Leisure Chief, Keegan Matthews plays a booty-shaking fusion of funk, soul, R&B and jazz. The latter will be front and center at this jam where the keyboardist’s trio teases cuts from a forthcoming full-length, plus plays the music of Herbie Hancock, Flying Lotus and more, all supplemented by vocalist Max Kipnis. (Shuffle, Tampa)

SAT 13

Black Radish Birthday: Emo Night

DJs We just lost the St. Pete storefront of Tampa Bay’s beloved plant-based deli-grocer. Luckily, the N 12th Street location is still going strong in Tampa’s V.M. Ybor. It celebrates a third year in business with mocktails, plant-based treats from Tume, and Emo Night Tampa DJs playing selectah. The event is free, but proceeds from food and drinks benefit Shelter Farm Sanctuary, a vegan, Arcadia-based nonprofit that provides a home for farm animals. (Black Radish Grocer, Tampa)

Will Kimbrough w/Matt Burke If you missed Emmylou Harris’ Clearwater stop earlier this year, her guitarist Will Kimbrough—who has also been helping Jimmy Buffett out with an upcoming album— brings his own material to Waypoint Bar &

Grill this weekend, some of which has been covered by the likes of Little Feat. Matt Burke of Have Gun, Will Travel opens this outdoor Palmetto gig. (Waypoint Bar & Grill, Palmetto)

Viva la Musica: Toño Rosario Busch

Gardens’ Food & Wine Festival goes Latin for the next two weekends, and kicks off four nights of May concerts with Rosario, the former leader of merengue favorite Los Hermanos Rosario. The 67-year-old Dominican has been solo since 1990, and after he leaves, Sunday’s festivities include a set from wildly-popular Colombian salsa orchestra Grupo Niche. Another merengue star, Elvis Crespo, plays next weekend (May 20), with Luisto Ayala’s orchestra Puerto Rican Power (May 21) closing it out. All concerts are included with park admission, and upgrades are available. (Busch Gardens

Recommends

Savannah Conley

SUN 14

The Florida Orchestra: Pops In the Park Chelsea Gallo wields the baton for one of downtown Tampa’s best free outdoor concert events of the year. The Florida Orchestra collects non-perishable goods on behalf of Tampa Bay Harvest at this concert where attendees should bring their own seats, blankets and snacks, then settle in for a program that includes Broadway hits (think, “Chicago”) and symphonic favorites from Mozart (“Marriage of Figaro” overture), Tchaikovsky (“Romeo & Juliet” overture), Debussy (“Moonlight”) and more. (Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, Tampa)

Jon Arterton and James Mack Let’s be real: In recent years, it has gradually become harder and harder to consider church a safe place to be who you really are, especially in a post-Trump America. The Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg, on the other hand, welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds, and genuinely wouldn’t dare turn away members of the LGBTQ+ community, including drag queens and transgender individuals. Still skeptical? Jon Arterton—who co-founded The Flirtations, an all-gay a cappella group that appeared in 1993’s “Philadelphia”—and his husband James Mack—a former New York fashionista—established St. Pete’s One City Chorus

continued from page 45

in 2016; the two will showcase a rare performance together this weekend at the church. Backing them will be pianist Aaron Cassette and singer Todd Wellman. (Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg)

Meg Myers w/Weathers/Band Of Silver

Other than releasing a new album in March (TZIA ) the singer-songwriter has a new bragging right: She was on the Kate Bush bandwagon before “Stranger Things” blew her career back up. Myers covered “Running Up That Hill” in 2019—accompanied by a music video made up of coloring book pages completed by 2130 children—and we won’t be too shocked if the cover makes her setlist after Weathers and Band Of Silver open.

(Crowbar, Ybor City)

Melissa Etheridge It hasn’t been an easy decade for Ms. “Bring Me Some Water.” In May of 2020, her son Beckett died of an opioid overdose, and last January her friend David Crosby—who donated the sperm that resulted in Beckett’s birth—passed, too. Personal tragedies—as well as a plethora of other adversities Etheridge has faced in life, such as kicking breast cancer’s ass— hasn’t prevented Etheridge from creating. It’s looking like no two shows and setlists are the same on this run of shows, so definitely do your homework. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)

Philip Charos Trio Charos’ GreekAmerican indie-rock and pop project H áros released a debut EP in February, but this weekend, he’s behind the drums as part of a jazz trio alongside guitarist Alex Malcovich and bassist Noel Reyes. Together, they’ll play music by John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter and Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. It’ll swing, and wear some Afro-Cuban influence, when the band works through a set that includes highly improvisational elements.

“It’s going to be very artistic, but vibey, not chaotic as one might assume when they hear the word 'free,'” Charos told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. (In Between Days, St. Petersburg)

WED 17

The Bouncing Souls w/Samiam/Swingin Utters/Pet Needs While ex-drummer

Michael McDermott is backing Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, his friends in The Bouncing Souls—who he respectfully split from a decade ago—just released their first new album of original material in seven years. Ten Stories High was partially funded by Patreon, and has been described by band members as a step away from “a lot of very self-centric [work],” and more of a step towards the curiosity of other people’s respective stories. The Jersey punk outfit brings all that and more to their first show in town since 2019, with California punk bands Samiam

and Swingin’ Utters, as well as Colchester, U.K.’s own Pet Needs. (Orpheum, Tampa)

THU 18

The Psychedelic Furs w/Evan Dando It’s pretty unreal to think that we’re rapidly approaching the 45th anniversary of the British post-punk outfit’s debut album. Its current run of shows is a career retrospective, featuring tracks from its critically acclaimed lockdown masterpiece-slashcomeback album, Made of Rain , and a biannual stop in downtown Clearwater goes down next Thursday night. Evan Dando of The Lemonheads is supposed to open the show. (Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater)

Rainbow Kitten Surprise w/Candi Carpenter In Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s 10 years together, Tampa Bay has not seen much of the indie rock quintet. Since its last time in town—as part of the 2018 installment of 97X NBT—the band has sold-out Red Rocks Amphitheatre, bombarded its fanbase with singles, and most significantly, frontwoman Ela Melo publicly came out as transgender last spring. With a little help from Candi Carpenter, the band kicks off the U.S. leg of its 2023 world tour in Orlando, before heading to Jannus Live on Thursday. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)

The Florida Orchestra

No comps: New concerts coming to Tampa Bay

You won’t have to worry about Ticketmaster milking your wallet to get this dose of old school rock nostalgia. MSSV (stylized “mssv”), a band featuring Mike Baggetta and Minutemen’s Mike Watt, has plans to play a small club show in Tampa Bay this fall. Tickets to see MSSV play Hooch and Hive in Tampa on Tuesday, Oct. 24 are on sale now for $15-$20. The band—which played Bagetta’s home base Gainesville on its lengthy 2022 tour—has not made a formal tour announcement, but there is an Orlando date on Oct. 22.

Bassist Watt and guitarist Baggetta also do live electronic processing for MSSV—which stands for ”Main Steam Stop Valve”—but the trio also features drummer Stephen Hodges (Mavis Staples, Tom Waits) who joined after drummer Jim Keltner, who recorded the band’s 2019 debut Wall Of Flowers , said he didn’t want to travel. That same year MSSV recorded and released a live album, Live Flowers , which showcases a jazz-ish, but mostly genre-averse, freeform sound.

Since then, MSSV gave fans a self-titled full-length studio album (2020), an EP (Scott Aicher, 2021), the 7-inch record (“Media Kittens”/ “When The Hoarding Has Ended”, 2020). Last spring, MSSV was joined on a 7-inch by guitarist Nels Cline, who recently told CL a lot of great things about Watt ahead of Wilco’s April Bay area show.

Minutemen, which opened for R.E.M. at St. Pete’s since-demolished Bayfront Center in 1985, only released music until the late-’80s, but ruined the lives of countless young music fans with a special brand of punk-rock that was political, funny, fast and allergic to genrefication. The show from MSSV might be Watt’s first stop in Tampa since 2004.

See Josh Bradley’s latest new concert announcement recap below.—Ray Roa

Perception w/Katara/The Fuss/Biishop

The Artist/Black Ace/Chooty B/Jay

Browne/DJ Friki Donya/DJ Flaco Friday, May 26. 8 p.m. $15. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

Ol’ Dirty Sundays 12 Year Anniversary: Cosmo Baker w/Sam E. Hues Sunday, May 28. 9 p.m. $12. Crowbar, Ybor City

The Dark Side of the Moon 50th Anniversary Party w/TBA Saturday, June 3. 7 p.m. $20. Floridian Social, St. Petersburg

Goodnight Neverland (reunion show)

w/TBA Friday, June 9. 7 p.m. $15. Crowbar, Ybor City

Bestial Mouths Sunday, June 11. 8 p.m. $15. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

Liquid Pennies Thursday, June 15. 7 p.m.

$10. Floridian Social, St. Petersburg

Lunar Vacation w/Pohgoh (opening for The Beths) Wednesday, June 21. 8 p.m. $22. Crowbar, Ybor City

EG Kight Friday, June 23. 8 p.m. $20 & up. Side Door at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg

A Brother’s Revival: An Allman Brothers Experienc e Saturday, July 8. 8 p.m. $24.50 & up. Central Park Performing Arts Center, Largo

Harbour w/Sylmar Thursday, July 13. 8 p.m.

$18. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

Buckcherry Thursday, July 20. 8 p.m. $35 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Breaking Benjamin (opening for Disturbed) Saturday, Aug. 5. 6:30 p.m. $29.50 & up. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

Skip Marley (opening for Stephen Marley) Saturday, Aug. 12. 8 p.m. $44.50 & up. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Trick Daddy Saturday, Aug. 12. 7 p.m. $65.25 & up. Amalie Arena, Tampa

50 Cent w/Busta Rhymes/Jeremih

Saturday, Aug. 19. 7 p.m. Prices TBA. Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

Cowboy Mouth Thursday, Aug. 24. 7:30 p.m. $24.50. Central Park Performing Arts Center, Largo

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes

Friday, Sept. 22. 8 p.m. $49 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Shinedown w/Papa Roach/Spiritbox

Friday, Sept. 29. 6:50 p.m. $29.50 & up. Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

Shawn James w/Evan Bartels Sunday, Oct. 1. 7 p.m. $25 & up. Orpheum, Tampa

A Split Second Sunday, Oct. 1. 8 p.m. $25. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

Hot Tuna Electric Wednesday, Oct. 4. 8 p.m. $49.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Sarah Shook and the Disarmers w/TBA

Tuesday, Oct. 10. 8 p.m. $17. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

Aerosmith w/The Black Crowes

Wednesday, Oct. 11. 7:00 p.m. $56.20 & up. Amalie Arena, Tampa

The Jonas Brothers Thursday, Oct. 12. 7:30 p.m. $39.95 & up. Amalie Arena, Tampa

Luis Miguel Sunday, Oct. 15. 7 p.m. $168 & up (resale only). Amalie Arena, Tampa

MercyMe w/Crowder/Andrew Ripp

Saturday, Oct. 28. 7 p.m. $25 & up. Yuengling Center, Tampa

Steep Canyon Rangers Sunday, Nov. 5. 8 p.m. $25 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Protest The Hero w/Moon Tooth/TBA

Wednesday, Nov. 8. 6 p.m. $25. Orpheum, Tampa

Chris Young w/Nate Smith Friday, Nov. 10. 7:30 p.m. $39.50 & up. The Sound, Clearwater

Fake and faker

By Dan Savage

Shortly after our wedding my wife informed me that she would be handling our finances and making all financial decisions for us as a couple going forward. Additionally, she had already arranged for my paycheck to be automatically deposited into an account that only she had control over. I would henceforth get a meager weekly allowance for personal expenses. During that same conversation my wife informed me I would get sex only when I had earned it. I love her, and I reluctantly agreed to this. We have been married for 10 years. I do all of the housework, and I rarely get sex. My wife tells me I have no one to blame but myself, since I agreed to all her terms from the beginning, which caused her to lose all respect for me as a man. I did not realize how difficult this would be. Is it normal for a wife in this kind of marriage to enjoy giving her husband pain? She is almost sadistic. She spanks my ass with a spatula and tells me I am a sissy. Is this normal?—Sorry I Somehow Said Yes

SAVAGE LOVE

some FLR have elements of TPE (total power exchange), FD (financial domination), DD (domestic discipline), and mild FF/S (forced feminization/ sissification) tossed in. But those men—to a man—had to ask for those things. Most had to beg for it. Because creating a FLR is almost never the wife or the girlfriend’s idea. It’s something a man fantasizes about and sometimes succeeds in talking his wife or girlfriend into experimenting with, but it’s not something anyone’s brand-new wife has ever sprung on him at the reception.

“From my research, and from the emails and DMs I get about how to set up an FLR, the askers are overwhelmingly male,” said Key Barrett, sex researcher and author of “Surrender, Submit, Serve Her,” a book on FLR. “And I have never heard of an FLR that was started unilaterally, or out of trickery, that managed to be successful.”

doing it. That is where I am now. Now this man is also fucking my ass. And both girls know it. I am trapped.—This Really Awful Personal Predicament Ensnared Divorcé

None of this happened—that will hopefully be a comfort to readers who were upset by the underage sex and racialized sexual stereotypes that featured so prominently in TRAPPED’s fake question. His unfulfilled fantasies revolve around a straight white man victim; first, he’s victimized by his lying girlfriend, then by an awful teenage girl who somehow managed to hoover up his dick, and finally by an insatiable straight Black man who’s already sleeping with both the white women in the story but wants that old straight white guy’s ass, too. Because, as everyone knows, old straight white guy ass is irresistible to straight Black men—or it is to the kind of straight Black man who exists only in the imaginations of white dudes who send me fake questions about their forced bi fantasies.

wishes for me to remain faithful to him while he continues to enjoy the sexual attentions of other men. I am a handsome man who is frequently approached by attractive young men, but I have always declined their advances because I am devoted to my gay man fiancé. Canceling the wedding would be embarrassing but the thought of marrying him knowing he has so freely given himself to other men and will continue to do so has broken my heart almost in half. My fiancé holds me while I cry myself to sleep at night. The dilemma I face: Do I break off our engagement and leave him and cleave my heart completely in two? Or do I marry him knowing he will never change?—Feeling Insecure And Needing Clarifying Edicts

Sure, it’s perfectly normal—in the sense that it’s perfectly normal for a certain kind of deeply frustrated kinky straight guy to beat off while writing me a fake letter about the kind of sexual relationship he’s always fantasized about having but has never actually had before tacking on a fake question on at end in the hopes that I’ll respond and then he’ll able beat off to the whole thing all over again.

Zooming out for a second… the fake questions I get aren’t the same as the dozens of fake questions YA writer Bennett Madison managed to get published in Slate’s “Dear Prudence” over the years, and they’re different than the presumed-to-be-fake questions to Slate’s “Care and Feeding” that Ben Dreyfuss has so hilariously picked apart on his substack, CalmDownBen. What distinguishes the fake questions I get at “Savage Love” from other fake questions submitted to other advice columns is the obvious fapping that was going when the letter was being drafted.

There’s a lot in SISSY’s letter that screams fake — a normal person would’ve instantly filed for divorce, there’s no way she could’ve “arranged” to have his paycheck automatically deposited into an account she alone controlled unless she somehow managed to bring his employer in on this conspiracy, that the best question he could come up with was the most banal question asked of sex-advice columnists (“Is this normal?”)—but what screams fake the loudest, the absolute deadest giveaway, is that this was sprung on him after his wedding.

Now, female-led relationships (FLR) are definitely a thing, and there are certainly some men out there in female-led relationships, and

Like a lot of people with fantasies rooted in power exchange, it’s hotter for SISSY to think about it being imposed on him. Because then he’s the victim, not the pervert, because then his submission is pure and unadulterated. But why send a fake question to a sex-advice column? Because getting his fantasy published makes it feel real. Or feel realer. Or, hell, maybe in some alternate everything/everywhere kind of universe, it actually becomes real.

I am a straight white man. I had been single and divorced for a long time. Then I met a lady, 23 years younger than me, and we started dating. Soon, she suggested I move in with her to save money and I agreed. I knew her 17-year-old daughter lived with her. One Saturday, I was home alone with my girlfriend’s daughter. In fact, she was walking around with no bra wearing just an unbuttoned men’s shirt and panties. I could not take my eyes off her. She saw me looking and came and sat on my lap. As soon as she had my dick in her pussy, this other man walked in. Yes, it was a set up. I was caught having sex with an underage teen. The man who walked in turned out to be a Black man who was known to my girlfriend. In fact, he owns the house she lives in, and he was my girlfriend’s actual boyfriend all along. They announced that I had to agree to pay them $1,000 a month or they would go to the police and I would go to prison. After signing a confession, I was then forced to suck the cock of the man who wasn’t just my girlfriend’s boyfriend all along, but also her daughter’s boyfriend. He took pics of me

I’m a gay man in his 40s with a gay man fiancé in his 20s. My fiancé just informed me that he has cheated on me with many others. He didn’t tell me until after we had announced our engagement, set a date, and sent invitations to both our families and friends back home in Chicago,

So, it’s not just deeply frustrated kinky straight men who send me these kinds of fake questions. (“Help! Help! This terrible thing I’ve been furiously beating off about all my life has suddenly happened to me!”) As FIANCE’s letter demonstrates, sometimes it’s a deeply frustrated kinky gay man who’s out there beating off while he writes me a letter. And on rare occasions, I get a fake question from a woman—and something about this letter (its idealized images of gay men, awkward phrases like “gay man fiancé”) has me thinking it might’ve been written by a woman who has read too much and/or authored to much and/or illustrated too much shounenai manga and/or yaoi manga. But whoever wrote this obviously fake question, it shares the same fakey-fake-fake DNA with the other two fake questions in this week’s column: a power-exchange kink like FLR, forced bi, cuckolding, etc., all kinks likelier to be proposed by a submissive (because most people into these kinks fantasize about being in the sub role), was in this case—this very special, very exceptional, and very hot (to the letter writer) case—imposed by a cruel wife, girlfriend, fiancé, etc.

where I grew up and we met while training for a marathon. We now live in Los Angeles, the city where we moved so he could pursue his career as a model. He is young and very beautiful and while I was the aggressor at the start of our relationship, he gradually asserted himself and is now the more controlling person in the relationship. Things have to be his way. He

I get a lot of letters like these and, in all honesty, I don’t mind reading them; I don’t share them often—I don’t get many columns out of them—but they do provide me with a fascinating glimpse into the sexual inner lives of a very special subset of my readers. But guys… SISSY, TRAPPED, FIANCE, and all the other guys out there whose fake questions didn’t make it into this week’s column… if you were to put half as much effort into finding partners who want what you want and/or partners who might grow to like what you want as you put into writing and sending me fake questions… you might actually get to live out some of those fantasies of yours.

Send your real questions to mail@savagelove. net, then get letters, podcasts and more via savage.love.

13

6

19 “___ the color that my baby wore ...”

(from “Yes It Is” by the Beatles)

23 Mean 24 Beatty and Rorem

29 Shower woe

31 La prelude

33 Rep. opp.

34 All wound up 36 Shake ___ (get moving)

37 This klue has one

38 Richard of A Summer Place

41 Sit up?

42 Big bird

43 A no-___ (a snap)

44 Cheers

46 Earth tone

47 “___ my backyard!”

48 “He’s just going through ___”

51 Aulin of Candy

52 On the dark side

55 Actor Gulager

56 Still 58 Scot’s cap

59 “Sit on ___ pan, Otis” (truly, one of the great palindromes)

60 Pertaining to the world’s longest river

61 Paternity-suit decider