Creative Loafing Tampa — July 20, 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, Jennifer Ring, Arielle Stevenson

PHOTOGRAPHERS Dave Decker

SUMMER INTERN Gracey Davis

Apply for fall via rroa@cltampa.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jack Spatafora

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Joe Frontel

ILLUSTRATORS Dan Perkins, Cory Robinson, Bob Whitmore

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

.................

Anthony Carbone, Scott Zepeda

MARKETING, PROMOTIONS AND EVENTS DIRECTOR

Leigh Wilson

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

EUCLID MEDIA GROUP

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Andrew Zelman

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICERS

Music: Tampa Bay Blues Fest 40

Chris Keating, Michael Wagner

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Sarah Fenske

Music: Tampa Bay Blues Fest 40

VP OF DIGITAL SERVICES Stacy Volhein

Music Week ...................................................42 Concert review: Artic Monkeys 42

REGIONAL OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Hollie Mahadeo

DIGITAL OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

Jaime Monzon

euclidmediagroup.com

cltampa.com

cldeals.com

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

Creative Loafing Tampa is published by Tampa Weekly, LLC, 633 N Franklin St., Suite

The physical edition is available free of charge at locations throughout Tampa Bay and online at cltampa.com. Copyright 2023, Tampa

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

How was your Date? cltampa.com/movies cltampa.com/PartyPics

tampa.creativeloafing.com/cltv twitter.com/cl_tampa

facebook.com/cltampa editors Connects,

tampa.creativeloafing.com/cltv twitter.com/cl_tampa facebook.com/cltampa editors Connects,

Our main number: (813) 739-4800

How was your Date? cltampa.com/movies on cltampa.com/PartyPics

Letters to the editor: comments@cltampa.com

Anonymous news tips: cltampabay_tips@protonmail.com

Ybor Festival of the Moving Image cltampa.com/arts

facebook com/cltampabay

instagram com/cltampabay

I think that we have too many people using drugs in this country right now. Which candidates would decriminalize marijuana? p. 17

Photo by Dave Decker. Design by Joe Frontel

He’s a professor of Pantomime Masturbation. The dick joke you didn’t know you needed, p. 35.

KATE SCAGLIONE C/O FEEDING TAMPA BAY

Mo’ money

Photos by Dave Decker

Outside St. Petersburg’s overdue, still-underrenovation President Barack Obama Main Library, activists gathered last Saturday to decry Mayor Ken Welch’s proposed $17 million dollar increase to police budget, which the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) calls “unprecedented in St. Pete” and the “largest increase in city history.”

Pointing to some of the highest inflation rates in the country, an unprecedented rent crisis, a

student homelessness crisis, and rapid gentrification, PSL, in a press release, said that more funding for police would not address those issues, but create even more problems. Instead, they’re asking for more public housing, education and social services.

“The police criminalize, brutalize, and even kill the working people of St. Pete,” the release said. “The real root of many crimes is poverty.” See more photos via cltampa.com/slideshows.

—Ray Roa

do this

Tampa Bay's best things to do from July 20 - 26

Barbie world

A popular St. Pete event space is taking the phrase “come on Barbie, let’s go party!” to an entire other level. Coinciding with the premiere of the highly-anticipated “Barbie” movie (which hits theaters on July 21), Coastal Creative and Populoum host a Mermaid Barbie party this weekend, complete with Barbie-themed works of art, a fashion show, fire dancing, live painting from local artists and the “magic of the sea,” of course. Wear your best—and pinkest—'fit to help celebrate the release of the Barbie movie in a hyper-local way. Other local Barb-ish events happening in Tampa Bay include a “Pink Festival” at Wesley Chapel’s Grove 16 movie theater on July 21 and a roller skate party at United Skates of America on July 28—complete with photo opportunities and a Ken look-alike contest for all you beefy hunks out there. Coastal Creative Barbie Party. Saturday, July 22. 7 p.m.-11 p.m. $10. Coastal Creative, 2201 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg. coastalcreativetv.co—Kyla Fields

Girl power

Last fall, Powerstories Theatre found out that a developer would tear down its playhouse after getting approval for a rezoning. “We do not want to be erased after 22 years,” the theater company’s founder, Fran Powers, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay at the time. “We are not just nameless property zones CG and RM-16. We mean something and have value to our community.” Still, the nonprofit company is giving back and wrapping its “Voices of Women” festival this weekend, showcasing local and national plays from both seasoned and new playwrights (including “Searching for Abuelo” by Gretchen Suárez-Peña, pictured). And since Powerstories is searching for a new home, theater fans can support this endeavor either at the Fringe Theater in Ybor City or from their couch thanks to streaming festival passes and tickets that allow them to view any show six times. A playwright Q&A happens on Sunday, July 23. 2023 Voices Of Women Theatre Festival. Through July 23. $1.75 & up. powerstories.com—Ray Roa

Find yourself

Winner of the 1996 Obie Award—which honors off-Broadway’s best works—Carmen Rivera’s “La Gringa” follows the journey of a young Puerto Rican girl named Maria Elena Garcia in a search for her identity. After visiting her homeland for the first time in an effort to connect with her culture, she realizes that she’s seen as an American in the eyes of Puerto Ricans, but Puerto Rican in the eyes of her fellow New Yorkers. Encapsulating the motto of “identity isn’t based on definitions, it’s an essence in your heart,” this poignant performance directed by Tatyana-Marie Carlo (pictured) explores themes of race, ethnicity and “otherness.” It opened on Wednesday at American Stage’s Raymond James Theatre and performances take place at various times Wednesdays-Sundays until Aug. 13. ‘La Gringa.’ Wednesday-Sunday through Aug.13. $45-$75. American Stage Theatre Company, 163 3rd St. N, St. Petersburg. americanstage. org—Kyla Fields

Bier coaster

Anyone riding those hot-ass roller coasters at Busch Gardens this summer is certainly brave, and the park is rewarding them with ice-cold beer. For the six conservative year, Bier Fest takes over the amusement park, allowing guests to sip over 60 beers from IPAs and pilsners to lagers and ales, in addition to indulging in Oktoberfest-inspired eats from Busch Gardens’ various hospitality outposts. New pub-inspired bites include braised pork shank, a spicy mustard-topped bratwurst on a pretzel bun, savory onion pies, dark beer doughnuts and chicken schnitzel with brown butter spätzle, alongside many other dishes. While access to Fest-ivities is included in the price of admission, its various food and drink offerings are available for purchase throughout the park. In addition to these exclusive food and drink experiences, Busch Gardens hosts a variety of live entertainment Friday-Sunday on its Coke Canopy to help celebrate 2023’s Bier Fest. Busch Gardens’ Bier Fest. July 21-Sep. 4. Included with park admission, bring money for beer. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, 10165 N McKinley Dr., Tampa. buschgardens.com —Kyla Fields

Break it up

For 17 (!!) years, Mark Lieb’s Creative Loafing Tampa Bay byline set its gaze on the Bay area theater scene, delivering glowing reviews and pull-nopunches criticism. This week, the playwright and author presents his own work for review in the form of a new novel, “Image Breaker,” about a know-it-all writer whose confidence takes a backseat to hallucinations about how he’s wasting his life. This week in St. Petersburg—for a Sunday chat inside Studio@620, and again on Tuesday at Tombolo Books—Lieb celebrates the release. There’s no cover for the Tombolo event, and a $5 admission fee for Sunday's book talk. markeleib.me—Ray Roa

Touch (sea)grass

The waters around us are trying to tell you something, and Tampa Bay Watch wants to help translate on a snorkeling excursion that utilizes a 45-foot floating classroom (read: eco-vessel) to explore an extensive sandbar and seagrass system that stretches from the St. Pete Pier to Coquina Key. All experience levels are welcome; kids, however, must be at least five years old. Bring water shoes if you want, but let the nonprofit environmental group provide everything else including snorkeling vests. Sandbar Snorkeling Excursion. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. through Aug. 12. $26-$34. tbwdiscoverycenter.org—Ray Roa

POLITICS ISSUES OPINION

Another step

Judge denies New Port Richey’s motion to dismiss lawsuit from acquitted BLM protester.

By Arielle Stevenson

It’s been over a year since a jury acquitted Marlowe Jones of felony obstruction and battery on a law enforcement officer, and a judge just denied the City of New Port Richey’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit, meaning it will have to face him in court.

It was July 24, 2020, when New Port Richey Black Lives Matter organizer Marlowe Jones jumped between a drunk man punching a female activist in the face during a peaceful BLM rally in downtown New Port Richey. According to court records, an intoxicated white male, Patrick Oshnock, came out of a local bar yelling “white lives matter” at Jones and the other protestors. Then Oshnock jumped activist Stephanie Hinkle, punching her in the face and pulling her down to the pavement. Police arrived moments later and arrested Oshnock for disorderly conduct. After speaking briefly with law enforcement, Jones, a father with young children, went home to his family.

On May 5, 2022, almost two years after his arrest, a jury found Jones not guilty. Last summer, he filed a civil suit against the city.

LOCAL NEWS

Jones and his legal team amended a 42-page complaint last month because, as attorney Kevin K. Ross-Andino told CL via text message, some individuals previously named in the suit became “problematic” to serve. He says as many as seven attempts were made for individuals in the lawsuit, including City Manager Debbie Manns and former police chief Kim Bogart, who retired early this year after spending time defending cops who made Holocaust joke and prayed with Proud Boys.

As a result, the complaint removed Manns, Bogart, Detective Timothy Berge, Operations Lt. Christopher Mellecker, Rickus, and NPR Mayor Robert Marlowe, though all are mentioned at length. The Jones complaint also says there was never an arrest warrant issued for Jones “at any time.”

One week later, at 11 p.m., approximately 20-30 New Port Richey police officers arrested Jones at the New Port Richey Police Department. Jones was there filing a missing persons report for Hinkle after he was told she was missing. He was charged with felony obstruction and battery on a law enforcement officer, but the city had bad evidence and even worse witnesses.

“I was surrounded by about 30 stormtroopers all in tactical gear,” Jones told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, as he recalled his arrest. “They grabbed me by the neck. They grabbed me by the wrist. I thought I was gonna be shot and killed.”

In the video, Jones repeatedly asks the cops why he’s being arrested. More than three minutes pass. An officer tells him that NPR police officer Nicholas Rickus claimed Jones pushed or tapped him during the July 24 altercation. Rickus didn’t have his body camera turned on that night, breaking city protocol. And once in court, he couldn’t remember where Jones had tapped or pushed him on July 24. His claims, which were the entire basis for the state’s case, fell flat in court.

Jones is asking for $2 million in damages.

Last week Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, who’s presiding over the case, denied NPR’s motion to dismiss the Jones complaint in its entirety. Judge Mizelle accepted the amended Jones complaint from last month, which dropped the individual parties from the case. No court date has been set as of publication.

“It started hell for me,” Jones said. “I still have nightmares about that night. If I hadn’t won, I’d be in prison because the police department doesn’t like Black Lives Matter.”

Jones, who works as lead organizer for Pasco County’s Faith in Florida, and his attorney RossAndino, said this case is about accountability.

Oshnock, who punched activist Stephanie Hinkle and dragged her to the ground, got 30 days in jail. Hinkle hadn’t gone missing but was arrested for allegedly having a concealed handcuff key in her pocket when cops searched her on July 24. Originally charged with a felony, Hinkle later agreed to a plea deal for six months of probation, $625 in fines, and a letter of apology according to court records. Rickus, the NPR police officer who

falsely claimed Jones touched him, resigned from law enforcement in October 2021, under no investigation.

After Jones was acquitted, text messages obtained via public records requests by CL show NPR City Councilman Jeff Starkey telling City Manager Debbie Manns, “He’ll never let the city live this down.” Manns replied: “Not happy.”

CL asked Manns for comment and received an email saying she couldn’t comment on pending litigation.

In Jones’ lawsuit, CL reporting is cited as evidence of wrongdoing by the City of New Port Richey at length. That coverage includes a laundry list of offenses by NPRPD in recent years, including posing in front of a confederate flag, making jokes about Anne Frank while searching a Jewish woman’s home, turning off a body cam to fondle a minor, and praying with hate group the Proud Boys. The defense previously filed to dismiss those claims, citing those same CL articles as “asserting the media posting as if authoritative.”

The City of New Port Richey retained Safety Harbor attorney Andrew Dayes as legal counsel.

CL reached out to Dayes for a statement but didn’t get a response before publication.

“This is about accountability and doing what’s right,” Jones said. “Because if these people don’t go or are not held accountable, the ship will continue to sail.”

Jones’ family moved to NPR in 1925 from Georgia. Almost a century later, his family was part of Pine Hill, one of the first Black subdivisions.

“My family has strong ties to this place,” Jones said. “I can’t just leave, I have to stay here in this community where let’s be honest, they still run the show.”

What Jones went through is extraordinary, but it’s also part of a long history of racism in NPR and Pasco County (and nearby Polk County), where documented hate groups like the Proud Boys and the Ku Klux Klan (google Moon Lake) have long had a foothold.

“It’s scary because these people can make up a lie about you,” Jones told CL. “One affidavit can turn into two years of your life. You have to fight on a jury trial to clear your name. That’s how dangerous they are.”

KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES: Marlowe Jones during a march in New Port Richey.

“I still have nightmares about that night.”

Blunt reality

DeSantis won’t decriminalize cannabis if elected president, but would any other candidate?

By Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix

Taking questions on the campaign trail in South Carolina last month, Ron DeSantis was asked by a man, who would identify himself only as speaking on behalf of military veterans who have endured illness and injury while serving, whether he would decriminalize marijuana if elected president next year. DeSantis said he would not.

“I think that we have too many people using drugs in this country right now,” the Florida governor said. “I think it hurts our workforce readiness. I think it hurts people’s ability to prosper and, just in my experience in growing up in the Tampa Bay area in Florida, the kids in high school who got involved in that that I went with, you know, all suffered. All their activities, all their grades, and everything like that.”

While running for governor in Florida in 2018, DeSantis promised to implement the will of the voters when it came to medical marijuana, and won support from advocates early in his administration after he stood next to Orlando trial attorney and Democratic megadonor John Morgan and Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz in 2019 and called for the GOP-controlled Legislature to repeal a medical marijuana law they’d passed two years earlier that prohibited individuals from actually smoking cannabis.

That’s because after more than 71% of Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana in 2016 (an initiative that Morgan spearheaded), GOP lawmakers passed and then Gov. Rick Scott signed a law that allowed access to the plant in pill, oil, edible, and vape form, but made it illegal to smoke. But since then?

“Ron DeSantis has done absolutely nothing to advance cannabis reform in the state of Florida beyond the initial executive order that he signed within his first three months in office, which obviously John Morgan laid a lot of pressure on him to do that as well as his former colleague Matt Gaetz,” said Chris Cano, executive director of the Suncoast Chapter of NORML (National Organization of the Reform of Marijuana Laws).

Black farmers

Last month, DeSantis did sign into law a measure that could potentially open the medical marijuana market in Florida to Black farmers who have yet to be granted a license to grow, process and distribute cannabis by the state’s Department of Health. The measure also allows physicians to use telehealth methods to renew medical marijuana certifications for patients.

Cano is still upset that DeSantis office hasn’t moved at all on prohibiting employers from discriminating against workers on the basis of their use of medical marijuana. A state appeals

court last month upheld the firing of a Florida Department of Corrections officer for using medical marijuana. The officer said he was using medical pot to treat post-traumatic stress disorder related to previous military service.

Democrats in the Legislature have offered measures to change that in recent years, but they haven’t moved at all in the GOP-controlled House and Senate (there are such laws in approximately 20 states, according to NORML).

“We see every single year multiple stories about teachers and correctional officers, firefighters and school administrators all being fired from their jobs for using a state-sanctioned medicine. To me, as governor, that’s a failure on his part to act,” Cano said. “Because every time

During his four years in office, Donald Trump took a relatively hands-off approach to federal regulation of cannabis. At one point, he announced his support for amending the federal Controlled Substances Act to allow states to decide for themselves how to regulate cannabis, but that legislation never moved in Congress.

Cano said the most significant action that Trump took in this space was to sign the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized the production of industrial hemp. “Under that, Nikki Fried, when she was our agriculture commissioner, essentially opened up the opportunity to create hemp businesses in the state of Florida, and we have over 10,000 of them that are thriving in our state,” Cano added.

FLORIDA NEWS

people. I mean, studies are saying that it does damage — it does significant damage — and yet from a voting standpoint, it’s a pretty popular thing. Canada has gone all that way, and other countries have gone all that way, some countries won’t do it, but you gotta take a look at some final results, but indications are that it’s not exactly helpful.”

Speaking at the NRA Convention in Indianapolis in April, Trump suggested a link between the use of “genetically engineered” marijuana and mass shootings. (The former president had said that if re-elected in 2024 he would direct the Food and Drug Administration to investigate potential causes of such violence.) “We have to look at whether common psychiatric drugs, as well as genetically engineered cannabis and other narcotics, are causing psychotic breaks” he said.

Ducked vote

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, the most recent Republican from Florida to enter the presidential sweepstakes, has a scant paper trail when it comes to cannabis. As a member of the Miami City Commission in 2017, when the idea of giving police officers discretion to issue civil citations for misdemeanor marijuana possession instead of making an arrest came before the board, Suarez and another council member “disappeared” and did not actually vote on the matter, according to a report by the Miami Herald. However, Suarez later told the paper that he supported issuing civil citations for misdemeanor cannabis possession. His campaign did not respond to our request for comment.

Biden

we go to the Legislature, they always put it on, ‘Well, if that’s not on the governor’s agenda, it’s not moving anywhere.’ So if reform’s not on his agenda as governor, how could we ever think that he’s going to take action as president?”

Change unlikely

While DeSantis is a hard “no” regarding recreational cannabis, a look at public records and statements of Florida’s two other Republican presidential candidates as well as President Joe Biden’s indicates that, on the federal level at least, not much major would likely change on this issue no matter who raises his or her hand to take the oath of office on Jan. 20, 2025.

(On a related note, incumbent Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and GOP lawmakers backed a bill earlier this year limiting the amount of THC in hemp products that advocates warned would have dealt a major blow to the hemp industry in Florida. The GOP bill sponsors ultimately withdrew that controversial provision of the bill before it made its way to the floor for a final vote).

Trump

Trump has been reluctant to express exactly how he feels about the issue. However. In a Newsmax interview with Greg Kelly in April, Trump said of cannabis that “it’s not helping

Cannabis advocates say Joe Biden has had a somewhat mixed record as president when it comes to this issue. Early in his first year in office, dozens of White House staffers were suspended, asked to resign, or placed in a remote work program due to past cannabis use, the Daily Beast reported.

In October 2022, Biden announced a full, unconditional, and categorical pardon for prior federal offenses of simple pot possession. At the same time, he announced that he was directing Department of Health & Human Services Xavier Becerra and Attorney General Merrick Garland to review the decades-old policy of listing cannabis as a Schedule I drug.

That listing has discouraged banks and other financial institutions from maintaining relationships with cannabis businesses. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, only about 11 percent of all U.S. banks and 4 percent of all U.S. credit

continued on page 18

DAVE DECKER

FLORIDA MEMORY: DeSantis threw it back to high school when asked about pot.

unions “are actively providing banking services to marijuana-related businesses.”

“Biden has not come out in favor of marijuana legalization, because he’s not in favor of it,” said Kevin Sabet, a former three-time White House Office of National Drug Control Policy adviser and now president and CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana. “He never has been, so I think that the way they split the baby on this is to say they’re going to have a scheduling review.”

Sabet is skeptical that Biden will receive a recommendation to change cannabis scheduling. “The science hasn’t change since the last time they reviewed this for Schedule I — the science has gotten worse; about psychosis, schizophrenia, the potency — if they’re going to stick to the science, I don’t see the scheduling changing,” he said in a telephone conversation.

“I think the expungement was more of a symbolic move — nobody was let out of prison after Joe Biden’s actions, so it really was not a way to empty our prisons. I think it was his way

of ‘doing something’ on marijuana and, however important it might have been, I don’t think he wants to do more than that.”

Kennedy

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., considered the longest of long shots as a Democratic party challenger to Biden, did speak about drug policy last month. Appearing at a town-hall meeting on NewsNation, Kennedy Jr. said he would “legalize psychedelic drugs — some form of legalization.” But when speaking about cannabis Kennedy would go only as far as to say, “I would decriminalize marijuana. I will make safe banking laws for people who are selling it, but I will tax it federally.”

National picture

Currently, 38 states allow the medical use of cannabis products and 23 states have legalized adult recreational use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. However, momentum for legalization has certainly cooled in red states over the past year. Referenda to allow adult recreational use in four GOP-leaning states, Oklahoma, Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota, have all failed.

FLORIDA NEWS

Sabet noted that it may be obvious, but decriminalization is not the same thing as legalization. “I think people are confounding those terms like RFK Jr. did recently, so people are going to need to be clearer about what they’re actually talking about,” he said.

In Oklahoma, that was despite the fact that the “no” side was outspent by more than 20-to-1, according to the Associated Press.

That doesn’t auger well for Florida, where a well-funded campaign to place a recreational cannabis for adult use citizen initiative on the 2024 ballot has already collected the requisite number of signatures required for a state Supreme Court review. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is strongly opposed to the proposal, telling the justices that the ballot language they’ve been asked to approve “misleads voters in several key respects.”

Back in Washington, several bills are floating in Congress regarding cannabis, including legislation filed by Southwest Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Greg Steube that would direct the Drug Enforcement Administration to transfer cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York is sponsoring the SAFE Banking Act, which would ensure that legal cannabis businesses have access to banking and financial services. Schumer has said that one of his “top priorities” for the bill is to ensure it contains specific criminal justice reforms, including “expunging criminal records for certain lowlevel marijuana offenses.”

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

YES, HE CAN: But Biden has a mixed record as president when it comes to weed. DAVE DECKER

SPECIALIZED MEDICAL CARE SINCE 1991

Providing premier medical care in your community through outreach, advocacy, education, and research.

SERVICES

Comprehensive Primary Care

Gender A rming Care

HIV, STD & Viral Hepatitis

Testing & Treatment

Prevention, Education & Outreach

LOCATIONS

CLEARWATER

2349 Sunset Point Road

#405 Clearwater, FL 33765

O ce: (727) 216-6193

eFax: (877) 868-0981

ST. PETERSBURG

3251 3rd Ave N #125 St. Petersburg, FL 33713

O ce: (727) 498-4969

Lab Draws

Linkage to Care Services

Medical Peer Navigators

On-Site Pharmacy

Patient Care Coordination

PrEP & nPEP Services

Ryan White Provider Spanish Speaking Sta Support Groups

Telehealth Services

Transportation Services

NEW PORT RICHEY 4758 Rowan Road New Port Richey, FL 34653

O ce: (727) 312-2040

eFax: (888) 806-9655

TAMPA 2105 N Nebraska Ave. Tampa, FL 33602

O ce: (813) 769-7207

(844) 922-2777

CANCOMMUNITYHEALTH.ORG

* services vary by location

PALMETTO 408 7th Street West Palmetto, FL 34221

O ce: (941) 803-7939

Fax: (941) 417-2328

eFax: (866) 622-3009

WALK-INS WELCOME AT ALL LOCATIONS

RESTAURANTS RECIPES DINING GUIDES

Grave news

Boneyard closes in Ybor, plus more from the Tampa Bay food scene.

By Kyla Fields

In the heart of Ybor City amongst the clubs, pizza parlors and cigar shops lies the Boneyard at 1823 E 7th Ave.—one of the district’s most beloved and eclectic dive bars, closed last Sunday during a party where a storm even knocked the power out. The bar’s farewell post didn’t give any of the reasons why Boneyard is shuttering doors for good. Online, bargoers lamented the loss of another one of the historic district’s watering holes (Rock Brothers closed last week), and also mentioned how the vibe’s changed at the dive since it returned from the pandemic with some interior renovations, including removing the Christmas lights inside.

Boneyard—once described in the Tampa Tribune as “a comfy retreat from Ybor’s trendmongering”—was known for its cheap, yet stiff drinks, walls filled with photos and memorabilia, as well as its late-night menu of beer-friendly eats like chicken tenders, giant hot dogs wrapped in bacon, mozzarella sticks and jalapeño poppers. The dog’s been called the best in town, and the wings were once lauded as among the greatest in Tampa, too.

Caddy’s unexpectedly closes Gulfport and St. Pete Beach locations

A popular Tampa Bay hospitality brand just closed two of its waterfront bars. According to signs posted on the bar and restaurant last Thursday night, Gulfport’s Caddy’s at 3128 Beach Blvd. S has officially closed its doors. WTSP says the note on its door read: “Caddy’s Gulfport has closed. It has been a pleasure serving the Gulfport community. Please visit us at our other locations: Bradenton, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, John’s Pass and Indian Shores.” It didn’t explain any of the reasons why the popular bar and restaurant suddenly shuttered its doors overnight. Caddy’s Gulfport is also listed as “permanently closed” on Google. What the farewell note failed to mention is Caddy’s St. Pete Beach location, which

patrons on social media have been speculating is also closed. Caddy’s St. Pete is no longer listed under the “locations” tab on caddys.com, either.

An employee from Caddy’s Treasure Island confirmed that the brand’s St. Pete Beach location at 5501 Gulf Blvd. is no longer open and that a new owner has taken over the space—although there is no sign on the door like on its recentlyclosed Gulfport outpost. It’s unsure exactly when Caddy’s St. Pete Beach shuttered its doors.

“Made For You by Leo Messi” menu item was inspired by one of Messi’s favorite Argentinean dishes, the item is “a crispy Milanese-style chicken breast topped with melted provolone cheese and an herbed aioli” completed with fresh tomatoes and arugula.—Ray Roa

ICYMI: Here are 10 essential bites from the Bay area food scene

• Sparkman Wharf’s newest concept Half Moon Seafood Company—which will celebrate its grand opening sometime this month—specializes in Nashville Hot Fish sandwiches, New Orleans-inspired po’boys and other classic Southern dishes. The Tampa-based company prides itself on its sustainable seafood offer-

• St. Pete fine dining restaurant Il Ritorno (stylized as “IL Ritorno”) at 449 Central Ave. hosts an exclusive caviar tasting dinner on Wednesday, Aug. 2. Reservations cost $235 per person and can be made via tock.com, giving guests access to 6 caviar-centric courses from owner and Executive Chef David Benstock, which include a squid ink capellini with caviar Lingotto and a "peaches and cream" dessert.

• Chef Adriana Siller from St. Pete coffee shop and cafe Bandit won the latest installement of Feeding Tampa Bay's annual Epic Chef cooking competition. She narrowly edged Noble Rice's Chef Jada Vidal after Epic Chef's first-ever tie had to be decided by audience vote.

• St. Pete Beach is the home to the newest Playa Bowls location at 4655 Gulf Blvd.; the New Jersey-based brand specializes in smoothies, acai bowls and other healthy options. It celebrated its grand opening last Saturday at 4655 Gulf Blvd.

• Downtown Tampa’s Melting Pot Social (105 W Tyler St. ) hosts its “MeltSO of Tampa” event on Wednesday, July 26, where 10 lucky cheese-lovers will win free fondue for an entire year. The giveaway’s first 100 attendees will receive $15 coupons, too. Folks that want to win its free fondue must arrive at the restaurant by 10 a.m.

Lionel Messi’s signature chicken sandwich has landed at Tampa’s Hard Rock Cafe

It was inevitable. The greatest athlete to ever touch a soccer field already has plans to play for Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, and of course he has a signature sandwich. Last week, Hard Rock International announced its new project with the hotel and casino chain’s global brand ambassador, Lionel Messi: a Messi Chicken Sandwich that’s now available at the Hard Rock Cafe at Tampa’s Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. And it’ll only cost you $18.95, which is nothing compared to a ticket to see Messi play in the MLS. A press release says the

ings, with prices ranging from $10-$20. More information is at halfmoonseafood.com.

• National Oyster Day is on Aug. 5, but The Pearl (823 Water St. in Tampa) is getting ahead of the game by launching an “Oyster Hour” featuring $2 oysters in its tavern area from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Wine features will fluctuate based on season and availability.

• St. Pete rooftop bar Cane & Barrel —located on the top floor of downtown’s AC Hotel at 110 2nd St. N—recently launched a Tuesday industry night with 30% off all food and drinks for local restaurant workers. Proof of employment is required.

• Clearwater’s Yellow Rooster Coffee (5072 113th Ave. N) hosts a cupping event for its newlydropped beans from Brazil and Guatemala on Thursday, August 3 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Come and rub elbows with Tampa Bay’s coffee community at this educational, yet laid back event.

• Two Tampa restaurants made it onto Opentable’s list of “Most Popular Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in America”: Tampa Heights’ Ulele—which specializes in Florida-inspired fare— and classic steak and seafood restaurant Ocean Prime.

• On Wednesday, July 26 St. Pete’s Shuffleboard Club hosts its monthly “history with a side of cocktails” event, where attendees can learn about the 100 year-old history of the organization while sipping on tasty summerinspired beverages. It’s free to attend for club members and $10 for non-members.

MICHAEL MURPHY

SHINE ON: A brief power outage did not stop the party at Boneyard.

fashion: Olga Saretsky + Kikimora Studio

Shellshocked

Crab

By Ray Roa

Looking at plans for, and previewing, Ybor Heights Crab Devil immersive art experience was like stepping into a dream. And for now, that’s all it will be. After three-and-ahalf-years of work, Crab Devil says that its art compound won’t actually ever open—and that the property at 3800 N Nebraska Ave. will actually go up for sale.

Devon Brady, Crab Devil co-founder and CEO, and artist at his LiveWork Studios, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that the project—which also included the Penninsilarium featuring Florida-centric oddities—has been struggling since October. He and his cohorts have spent the months since working to raise the capital needed to move Crab Devil forward, but Brady said, “these efforts have ultimately failed.” He spent last Monday delivering the bad news to 55 artists whose work—from large scale pieces to smaller items for display in the Cabinet

of Curiosities— was already installed or set to live at Crab Devil. The collective is working to either return the work or help them sell the work to help settle the debts. Brady would not share an exact figure, but said that around $5 million had already been spent on Crab Devil, which recently received city funds for facade improvements.

“I think most artists would rather see their work displayed, than returned to them, but the problem is it’s all highly specialized stuff, and there’s a limited market for it,” Brady told CL. “So we’ve got several irons in the fire that we’re working on. Places that the world could go, but it’s going to be on a case by case basis.”

Deviant Libation, the brewery from awardwinning brewer Tim Ogden, opened in January on the Crab Devil property. Brady said Crab Devil is doing everything it can to ensure that Deviant Libation can remain and continue to thrive in their space. Ogden told CL that he

100% plans on staying open to serve the community. “Our lease is viable, and we’re really looking forward to making beer and growing this business that I’ve been working my entire career to get to,” he added.

Visitors who stop by Deviant Libation Thursday-Sunday, July 20-23 will get one last chance to visit the Cabinet of Curiousities as part of a “last look” opportunity for the collection of art inspired by Floridian kitsch, bizarre history and off-the-way folklore.

this is what needs to happen in Tampa, but I don’t think that that has necessarily made it through to the business community,” Brady told CL.

A&E EVENTS

Last Look: Cabinet of Curiosities

In a statement, Brady said that Crab Devil was not immune to many of the issues that have plagued pre-pandemic-born projects—supply chain, inflation, staffing, included.

Over the last three-years, Crab Devil has acquainted itself with the community by hosting immersive art pop-ups at Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, Gasparilla Music Festival, and even on site for concerts and fundraisers. There was even an art Airbnb upstairs. If Crab Devil would have opened, it could’ve started to take in money and pay down its debt.

Thursday-Sunday, July 20-23

Crab Devil, 3800 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa

“That inability to raise equity dollars in the end is what killed us,” he said. For now, Brady said that the Crab Devil collective is heartbroken.

“We faced ongoing delays, ongoing changes and revisions to our permit, as well as persistent and, ultimately devastating, interest rate increases,” he added. “These setbacks, combined with our recent fundraising difficulties, have simply made the situation untenable for us.”

“The biggest letdown for me was that I think there’s a sense among the art community that

“This project has been our life’s work for several years, and we have done absolutely everything we could do to see it succeed. Everyone we ever pitched said, ‘This is exactly what Tampa needs,’” he said. “We still believe that, and we’re crushed that we couldn’t make it happen for you and for this city. We truly appreciate all that you have done for us.”

MOVIES THEATER ART CULTURE

“We’re crushed that we couldn’t make it happen for you and for this city.”

DEVIL WENT DOWN: Crab Devil had already started introducing itself to Tampa.

CRABDEVILTAMPA/FACEBOOK

Now at The Dalí

Over 100 rarely displayed drawings from the hand of Salvador Dalí offer a glimpse into the artist’s most intimate and spontaneous creative process.

Stroke it

Meet the hour-long dick joke you didn’t know you needed.

By Jennifer Ring

I’ve been using Otter to transcribe my interviews ever since AI became a thing—so for the past three months. If you’ve used the AI transcription app before, then you know that each recording becomes a note. Once your note is ready, Otter provides a list of keywords to help identify that note. For my interview with “Stroke of Genius’’ co-writers Shane Mayforth and Vulva Va-Voom, the keywords are “LBGT, masturbation, masturbate, academia, makeup artist, stockings, silent film era, photography, art form, spankin, and dick jokes.” That should give you an idea of what the play is about.

What was the stroke of genius that resulted in the latest from Boiled Horse Productions? Va-Voom caught Mayforth pretending to masturbate on the other side of a smoked glass door. “Are you pretending to jack it?” she asked him.

he launched a PowerPoint presentation full of fake history and penis-themed infographics. The highlights: a couple of ancient Greek vases digitally altered by graphic designer/illustrator Natasha Marie to include more penis, and a series of silent film segments featuring Va-Voom in drag, comedically pretending to masturbate. For one segment, Va-Voom created a 13-foot-long string of felt sausages. Fringe regulars Ami Sallee and Dickie Corley (Gutter Fly Productions) built a conveyor system for them, creating a never-ending loop of wieners for Va-Voom to handle.

“It was an eight-hour film shoot with professional filmmakers,” Va-Voom told CL. “We had a real director, a director of photography, and a grip.”

THEATER

Stroke Of Genius

Fridays through July 28, $15

“Yes, I am. I’m the Spankenshyster,” Mayforth replied. Why Spankenshyster? The performing arts duo pondered the question until they had a story.

Tampa Fringe Theatre @ Kress Collective, 1624 E 7th Ave., Ybor City @ tampafringe on Facebook

“We decided that it evolved out of some obscure, music-hall Vaudeville art form that someone had mastered,” Va-Voom told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “And then we decided that we could trace it throughout all of history.”

“Stroke of Genius” presents Mayforth as Dr. Winkworth-Perez, professor of Pantomime Masturbation at Scottsdale Community College. Seeing Winkworth-Perez approach the podium in a button-down shirt, tie, and corduroy jacket gave me college flashbacks. Then

The credits at show’s end reveal a team of a dozen people. In addition to Va-Voom and Mayforth, the group includes graphic designer Natasha Marie Art, Film Producer Chris Giuffre, Director of Photography Wes Pratt, Jeff Scolaro as Grip, Makeup Artist Hannah Foley, Editor Angela Ellis, Costumer Kelsey McCarter, Creative Consultant Patrick Creel, and production assistants Arlene Jacobs and Drew Suarez.

The amount of work that went into this ridiculous dick joke of a comedy act is absurd. As Va-Voom says, “We take our dick jokes very seriously. We want our dick jokes to really resonate with people. We’re both absurdists. We think that absurdism isn’t just funny; it’s a life philosophy.”

In conjunction with his solo exhibition, Here We Stand, artist Tom Jones will engage in conversation with one of his earliest teachers, the first President of the Ho-Chunk Nation, his mother, JoAnn Jones. She is associate judge, Ho-Chunk Nation Trial Court and has been active in national-tribal-state issues and matters involving tribal sovereignty. Join us as they speak about his work, their heritage, and his exhibition. Free with museum admission. Registration required. Learn more at mfastpete.org

SPANK HIM: Shane Mayworth in ‘Stroke Of Genius.’

JENNIFER RING

Tom Jones, JoAnn Jones, 2015, from the series Strong Unrelenting Spirits, Inkjet print and beadwork, On loan from the artist.

RESTAURANTS BOOST THEIR BUSINESS WITH TIME-BASED OFFERS

Restaurateurs incentivize their customers to dine during the times that they need it most. The low merchant cost empowers local restaurants and staff to retain more of their revenues and thrive, unlike other third-party services.

DINERS GET PAID TO EAT OUT

Diners can go to Dinefits.com to browse all the local cashback offers. When they go to a participating restaurant they pay their tab during the rewards window with their linked credit card and earn up to 20% or more cashback!

"DINEFITS IS THE BEST WAY TO DRIVE MORE DINERS TO YOUR RESTAURANT"

Go to jail

Monopoly eyes Tampa, and Busch Gardens protects itself from influencers.

By Gracey Davis and Colin Wolf

Free parking can be hard to find in Tampa these days, but we bet it’ll be available in a new version of Monopoly that’s supposed to hit shelves this winter. The Tampa-themed board game will feature “the most essential parts of Tampa,” according to a press release from game company Top Trumps USA. The Tampa edition will be released under Hasbro licensing, and will feature custom monopoly money and community chest and chance cards. You can also suggest which locations make the board by emailing tampa@toptrumps.com.

The University of Tampa and its iconic minarets will probably make the cut, and so will the popular Ybor City neighborhood, but we’ve also got our fingers crossed for the spaceship at 2001 Odyssey on Dale Mabry Highway and some of Tampa’s most miserable places, too.

After man jumped into alligator enclosure, Busch Gardens installs new influencer-proof fence

It’s been a month since a man attempted to go viral by jumping into Busch Gardens’ American Alligator exhibit, and since his arrest the park has installed a much taller fence that will certainly keep the influencers out. The exhibit previously featured two smaller fences separating guests from the gators. Now, new warning signs have been installed along with a third influencer-proof fence that’s at least 10-feet high.

The enclosure is home to alligators that reach as large as 15-feet and 1,000 pounds, but that didn’t stop Louisiana “nano-influencer” Jacob Ryan Pursifull, who hopped into the exhibit for internet points on May 31.

A&E SHORTS

Top Trumps USA has been in the card and board game business since 2008, and created its line of City Monopoly Editions in 2020. Tampa is the 22nd city to join the iconic property purchasing game, joining the ranks of Pittsburgh, Palm Springs and Sacramento.

Monopoly, originally created in 1935, has roots dating back to 1905 when Elizabeth Magie created the game to explain Henry George’s single tax theory, which advocated for property taxes on the value of buildings regardless of buildings or modifications on the land. Now, the game has over a billion players worldwide, and loads of different themes.

Tampeño Monopoly fans might recall a similar concept to the upcoming Tampa Monopoly, Tampa-Opoly, available via Visit Tampa Bay.

A few days later, Purisfull was arrested by the Tampa Police Department (TPD) and was charged with burglary, theft of services, and trespass. On top of this, all of his social media channels have since been removed. Apparently, the gator enclosure wasn’t the only barrier that Pursifull hopped that day.

According to TPD, the 20-year-old illegally entered the park by jumping the park’s perimeter fence.

“Pursifull and the other two subjects then made their way to the alligator enclosure,” said TPD in a statement.

“Our security and animal care teams responded immediately,” said a spokesperson with Busch Gardens. “We will not tolerate this blatant disregard of our safety rules and are working with law enforcement on this matter.”

ROLL ON: An official Tampa version of Monopoly is on its way.

C/O BAIS PR

State of play

Music venues are very much alive—but are they well?

By Ray Roa and Kyla Fields

In the hours after the second ever conference for the National Independent Venue Association in Washington D.C., Tom DeGeorge looks relieved and rested. In the nation’s capital, he and his NIVA cohorts have come together with lawmakers to discuss how they can use their might to improve the concert going experience. This is the group, after all, that lobbied congress for the $15 billion Save Our Stages (SOS) package that buoyed the live entertainment industry during the pandemic shut down when small rooms across the U.S. where the first to close and last to open. A big topic at NIVA ‘23 was Fix the Tix, nascent legislation that advocates for legal remediation to predatory ticketing practices. SOS helped venues survive, and in D.C., NIVA leaders saw Fix the Tix as a way

independent venues can thrive. And while he’s 900 miles away from his Ybor City venue, home is top of mind for DeGeorge.

In 2021, the landlord gave Crowbar a five-year extension, so his room now has an expiration date. DeGeorge wants to get to the 20th anniversary at the end of that lease. In past conversations, he’s admitted that circumstances like insurance (Crowbar’s has gone from $17,000 to $30,000 over the last year, for a “crappy policy”), secondary ticketing with algorithms and tactics that evolved during the COVID years, and rising rents are obstacles that keep him from getting to 2026. “We’re getting crushed from every angle,” DeGeorge told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.

But he’s optimistic. He told CL that he would sit and break bread with Ybor City developer Darryl Shaw because there might be real opportunities for well-funded entities to cooperate with, and ensure a real future for, indie venues. At the end of the day, the goal is to create a live music experience that endears a music lover to their city and scene.

LOCAL MUSIC

Eight stops away on the TECO Trolley, the team inside Amalie Arena also deals, albeit on a different scale, with insurance issues and evolved third-party ticketing systems. But that group still works just as hard to create a meaningful concert experience for thousands who call Tampa Bay home.

“We're always thinking about what's next,” Kelli Yeloushan, Senior Director of Event Management for Vinik Sports Group, which runs Amalie, told CL. Her room just hosted Peso Pluma, an enigmatic artist who has reinvented romantic corrido music for a generation (Z) that’s been defined by social media, COVID,

and all the anxiety that comes with them. Pluma, who is on the July cover of Billboard magazine, is inarguably driving the astronomical growth of Mexican music in the U.S. And while Amalie works with Live Nation and AEG on many of its shows, the Pluma gig was executed with an independent promoter. K-pop, which hasn’t arrived in a big way for the Bay area, is on her mind.

“We’re an open room. We want to bring the artists, and have content, and a busy schedule that's diverse programming for everyone,” Yeloushan—who’s worked her way up the ladder at VSG—added. “Having every show come to Tampa is our goal.”

And while she knows Amalie and Yuengling Center, both under the VSG umbrella, are thriving, Yeloushan attributes that success to how much the region has been turned on its head. “We are a completely different city after COVID, the Tampa DNA has changed,” she added.

continued on page 41

REVIEWS PROFILES MUSIC WEEK

DON’T GO AWAY: 300 lucky people watching The Beths play Crowbar. DAVE

JA NN USLIVE.C OM

MUSICOLOGY

continued from page 39

And if concertgoers native and otherwise can get behind both indie venues and bigger ones, we might have a shot at changing this scene for the better after all.

There’s no shortage of addresses that host live music in Tampa Bay, and while the music listings (p. 47) usually just cycle through about a dozen core venues there are a few essential rooms a Bay area music fan should know about whether they want to see a show in a small space or at the biggest amphitheater money can buy. From tiny to large, here are some must-know venues around Tampa Bay. Visit cltampa.com/music for links to last year’s more comprehensive venue update, and if you don't see it online, then please add your venue to CLy’s online live event calendar.

Far Forest

LOCAL MUSIC

The scene: Just under 300 people are allowed in Crowbar on any given night, and the venue with walls plastered in concert posters has long been a rock in the local scene. The room features two bars inside, a pretty cool “Merchland” area where bands can meet fans and an outdoor patio that’s home to a bar, DJ booth, art installations, and almost always a local cook making late night snacks. Concertgoers include a diverse spread of local music junkies across literally every scene and the occasional we-got-a-babysitter crowd that makes it out for a national act playing an intimate sold-out show.

The scoop: Immortalized in the New York Times during the shutdown, owner Tom DeGeorge has become a leader at NIVA which lobbied for billions of dollars to save live entertainment—and helped launch DTour, an independent touring company that seeks to help artists and venues keep more of the money they

hosted legendary sets from the likes of Blackstar (which popped up after its set at Straz Center), plus secret performances from giants like hardrock band Underoath and even Kenny Chesney. Next show: The Venus w/Ben Katzman’s DeGreaser/Charlie/Chaunces. Friday, July 21, 7 p.m. $10.

Similar venues: The 300-capacity rock club is kind of a rare breed in Tampa Bay, but there are many similarly-sized rooms that a local music fan should know, foremost including Hooch and Hive, plus New World Brewery and even the Palladium Theater’s basement cabaret which holds just under 200 people for jazz gigs.

Skipper’s Smokehouse

Where: 910 Skipper Rd., Tampa 813-9710666. skipperssmokehouse.com

Sound: Blues, rock, jam bands and tribute shows

The scene: After keeling over in the first year of the pandemic, 40-years-running Bay

at the oyster bar rank as an important rite of passage for any self-respecting Tampeño. College kids and hippies alike frequent the 700-capacity space for nighttime shows while daywalkers include families and folks who accidentally drive up on the joint that’s played host to bands well before they make it big (read: The Black Keys, Avett Brothers, and Mofro).

The scoop: The Skipperdome is religion for some people. There only a few, more special, concert experiences than the one that Skipper’s and its well-worn stage, picnic tables and “dance floor” provide. You don’t forget your first time there, and you’ll probably make lifelong friends if you become a regular.

Next show: Kat Riggins. Friday, July 21, 8 p.m. $12-$15.

Similar venues: Unique as Skipper’s is, Tampa Bay offers other charming, only-in-theBay concert experiences (hell, Orpheum’s new spot across the street is an essential venue on its own). Safety Harbor Art and Music Center is a whimsi-

Where: 4312 N Florida Ave., Tampa., City. thefarforest.com.

Sound: Folk and jazz.

The scene: Comfy couches and lounge chairs rearranged to surround the artist performing on a large tabriz-style rug. The backdrop for a show at this vintage shop is a curated bookshelf, house plants and classic furniture all lit through old windows that let the sunlight dramatically dim as the show goes on. Concert goers (usually no more than 25, if that) come from around the shop’s Seminole Heights neighborhood, include other shop owners and almost always other local musicians and in-the-know scene champs who play in the Bay area’s best new bands.

The scoop: Tiny rooms like Far Forest— which presents music under the Forest Sounds banner—make for concert experiences that can endear natives and newcomers alike to their hometown. They give us a chance to not only see our neighbors play music, but also mingle with them and make friends in between bands in an unpretentious way.

Next show: Rod Alnord Quartet, Thursday, July 27. 7 p.m. Donations accepted.

Similar venues: House shows are essential; Whamo Media (@whamo.media) and Bent Cig Booking (@bentcigbookingfl) are great at promoting those gigs, along with DIY spaces like head shop-venue Battle Buds. Other tiny venues include The Bends in St. Pete, which is a good place to get a great cocktail along with your show, local American Legions and VFW halls, Tampa’s Cafe Hey, dives like The Hub and emergent biker bar Born Free, local breweries, and record stores like Microgroove, Mojo Books and Music and Bananas.

Crowbar

Where: 1812 N 17th St., Ybor City. 813-2418600. crowbarybor.com

Sound: Rock, rap, DJs, pop, indie, pop... basically everything.

make in their own pockets (instead of the bank accounts of giant concert promoters).

His room is a survivor of a Ybor City district that’s seen many of its tried-and-true concert venues relocate or close altogether. Hip-hop, funk, soul and DJ night Ol’ Dirty Sundays has become a community staple, and the room has

area live music staple Skipper’s Smokehouse came back to life less than a year later under the same ownership which couldn’t let the cathedral of live music disappear (the oak canopy is known as the “Skipperdome”). The restaurant still serves dinner-worthy Floribbean fare (and has been lauded by the Food Network) while beers

cal stop, and New World Brewery’s biergarten and music hall are now reliable for almost daily live music. Clearwater’s historic Capitol Theatre offers a similar capacity and high quality touring acts, and so does St. Pete’s recently-revamped Floridian Social (which used to be the State Theatre).

continued on page 43

DAVE DECKER

BORN FREE: A Waters Avenue biker bar has quickly become a scene staple.

Hard Rock Event Center

Where: 5223 Orient Rd., Tampa. 866-3884263. seminolehardrocktampa.com

Sound: Rock, singer-songwriter, comedy.

The scene: This 1,500-capacity, indoor venue tends to draw a more mature audience, perhaps folks that would enjoy the casino’s amenities before the gig or book a hotel room after the show. Its carpeted floors give it a hotel conference room vibe, but the room’s sound system makes up for the expected lack of ambiance.

The scoop: Hosting everything from MMA tournaments, popular comedians, TV personalities, and rock bands that dominated 20th century charts, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s Event Center offers a wide range of yearround programming. Legends like Alicia Keys and Rod Stewart have recently played intimate shows at the Hard Rock Event Center— the latter even calling it the “the smallest stage I’ve played on in a long time.” Because of the humble size of the room, the acoustics are great and there’s not a bad seat in the house.

Besides hosting nationally-acclaimed musicians and comedians, the casino-adjacent event center can be rented out for conventions, poker tournaments, trade shows and private events like CL’s upcoming Best of the Bay party this fall.

In addition to John Legend’s October show (that will most likely sell out in the blink of an eye), the Hard Rock Event Center is hosting a slew of popular comedians to round out its 2023 programming, including late-night TV host Seth Meyers, Jerry Sienfeld, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, “The Hangover”-famous Ken Jeong and Dane Cook.

While driving up to a hotel and casino may not ignite the same energy as a standalone venue, the Hard Rock Event Center’s great sound system and intimate setting definitely reel you in. And you can’t beat the comfort of free parking and a pre-gig dinner at the Jubao Noodle Bar either. For a more casual outing, you can always enjoy live entertainment by the Hard Rock’s pool, with a highly-anticipated outdoor party featuring Wu-Tang Clan, Nas and De La Soul slated for September.

Next show: Hunter Hayes. Thursday, July 27, 8 p.m. $55 & up.

Similar venues: Ferguson Hall at the Straz Center, Tampa Theatre

Jannus Live

Where: 200 1st Ave. N, St. Petersburg. 727565-0550. jannuslive.com

Sound: reggae, rock, programming for local events like St. Pete Pride and Girls Rock St. Pete

The scene: A 2,000-person capacity, openair venue with a large tree in the back of its courtyard (and yes, it’s much worse than getting stuck behind that tall guy at a show). Multiple

bars line the outside of the standing area, adjacent to the merch tables. Street parking is virtually non-existent, so parking garages are usually your best bet.

The scoop: When Jannus Landing, downtown St. Pete’s beloved open-air venue debuted in the 1980s, it was meant to attract popular punk and reggae acts of that era, but was notably exclusive to local talent. Wildly popular acts including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Eminem, Rise Against, Lil Uzi Vert, Green Day and Radiohead have graced Jannus’ stage and captivated thousands of sweaty ass fans over the decades.

LOCAL MUSIC

After 40-something years, new owners, the addition of indoor plumbing and one name change later, this space still appeals to the same genres it originally did, but now hosts a variety of Tampa Bay-based programming year-round. The stage has hosted everything from last month’s St. Pete Pride concert and Girls Rock St. Pete’s end-of-summer recital to massive soccer-watching parties, noprofit galas and much, much more.

It’s no secret that downtown St. Pete is a different landscape than when Jannus opened

local mainstay. Storefronts, restaurants, and bars may come and go, but one thing remains constant: a massive line of excited fans wrapped around the First Block eagerly waiting to see their favorite band.

Next show: Between the Buried and Me. Friday, July 28, 7 p.m. $35.

Similar venues: Ritz Ybor, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Duke Energy Center at Mahaffey Theater, and the Straz Center’s Carol Morsani Hall and Ferguson Hall.

The Sound

Where: 255 Drew St, Clearwater. 727-7917400. rutheckerdhall.com

Sound: Pop, classic rock, rock, country, classical

The scene: Simply put, there’s no other venue like The Sound. Opened late last month after a two-year renovation of its home, Coachman Park, the waterfront venue (which is not an amphitheater, people) offers ocean breezes and views of Old Clearwater Bay. There’s a VIP, elevated viewing area and ample amenities (read: no porta potties), plus 4,000 covered seats and room for 5,000 more people on the lawn. The venue draws from the downtown Clearwater

to rooms that big). When the Clearwater Jazz Holiday comes home, or when you’re enjoying a late-December gig with shorts on, you’ll really understand why Tampa Bay really needed to hear this Sound.

Next show: Michael Franti & Spearhead w/Fortunate Youth. Friday, July 21, 5:30 p.m. $25 & up.

Similar venues: Other rooms like Yuengling Center arena can hold several thousand people, but there’s nothing like The Sound in the Bay area.

MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre

Where: 4802 U.S. Hwy-301 N, Tampa. 813740-2446. midflorida.com

Sound: Country, rock, rap, 97X’s weekendlong “Next Big Thing” festival

The scene: An outdoor venue with 9,900 covered seats (in addition to a small pit area in front of the stage) and an outdoor lawn that holds 10,000 people. Located at the Florida State Fairgrounds, this venue has a large parking area that’s free if you self-park (although valet and premium parking are available, too).

The scoop: What you call Tampa’s resident amphitheater can truly show your age. The MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre opened as the Ford Amphitheatre in 2004 and went through various name changes like collectively-hated Ask-Gary Amphitheatre and Live Nation Amphitheatre before settling on its current name in 2013.

its doors many years ago. A casual trip into The ‘Burg is now met with high-rise apartments, expensive parking garages, traffic detours, and construction cranes as far as the eye can see. While downtown’s First Block has experienced a multitude of changes since Jannus debuted— with a new 70’s-themed dance club, seafood restaurant, and yeehaw country bar as recentlyopened neighbors—we certainly hope this Bay area institution stays as is. Nearly 40 years after Jannus Landing first opened, and 13 years since it rebranded as Jannus Live, the St. Pete venue now has that worn-in, cozy feel of a true

neighborhood and surrounding beaches, plus folks from Pinellas and even Tampeños who’re now forced to make the drive for shows they can’t see in the 813 (read: Charley Crockett in November).

continued from page 41 continued on page 44

The scoop: Anyone who’s come under the charm of St. John’s County’s 4,092-capacity St. Augustine Amphitheatre knows how special it is to have a large outdoor venue. The capacity could attract artists like Boygenius, The National, Bon Iver and Kacey Musgraves that have outgrown nightclubs and theaters but not yet graduated to arenas (or those who simply don’t like playing

The amphitheater, which is located on Florida State Fairgrounds, has played host to a variety of local music festivals—from the nowdefunct Big Guava festival (which boasted a legendary alternative-pop lineup) to 97X’s weekend-long Next Big Thing. With almost 10,000 seats inside and nearly the same capacity on its outdoor grassy area, MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre is known for its affordable lawn seats, summer parking lot tailgates and multistage festivals. Once a year during its “Concert Week” promotion, parent company Live Nation pairs up with the venue to offer $25 tickets to several of its upcoming shows to ensure a packed-out lawn section all summer-long. A few big acts headed to the ampitheater’s stage this summer and fall include Lynyrd Skynyrd, Fall Out Boy, Snoop Dogg, Post Malone, Rob Zombie and Smashing Pumpkins.

Overpriced stadium hot dogs and $16 beers and aside, the old Gary amp offers a variety of concerts and concert-going experiences for just about any music lover. The various festivals it hosts throughout the year also offer the unique experience of enjoying music from four or five stages throughout the venue and its surrounding property. And if you want to save yourself some extra cash and avoid ticket purveyor handling fees, you can always buy tickets in-person at the ampitheater’s box office (which feels way

DAVE DECKER

NOT SO SMALL THINGS: 18,000 fans caught Blink-182 at Amalie Arena

continued from page 43

more satisfying then scanning a barcode on your phone anyways).

Next show: Mudvayne w/Coal Chamber/ Gwar/Nonpoint/Butcher Babies. Friday, July 21, 5:30 p.m. $35 & up.

Similar venues: Amalie Arena gets pretty close when it comes to capacity (18,000 people were in downtown Tampa for a recent Blink-182 show), but the amp is the last stop for artists before moving to Raymond James Stadium.

14 summer shows to help you get acquainted with Tampa Bay’s live music scene

Orquesta Infinidad Blues or a Grateful Dead tribute is usually the way to first experience Skipper’s, but a Cuban-led, Tampa-based Latin band is a very, very close second. Saturday, July 22, 8 p.m. $10-$15. Skipper’s Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Rd., Tampa. skipperssmokehouse.com

Jackson Browne Ruth Eckerd Hall is 40 years old and still one of the best sounding rooms in Tampa Bay. Browne, the boomer icon with a golden voice, will undoubtedly showcase why top-tier songwriters want to meet fans there almost every time they stop in town.

Wednesday, Aug. 2. 7:30 p.m. $53.25 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater. rutheckerdhall.com

Austin Lucas w/Have Gun Will Travel/ Jordan Foley and The Wheelhouse Lucas is the kind of punk-Americana songwriter who cut his teeth in St. Petersburg watering holes that surround Floridian social these days, and for this show, the man with a clarion beacon of a vocal heads to this beautifully restored venue (FKA State Theatre) for a show where he’ll play the songs of Florida punk favorite Against Me!, plus originals. He’s joined by the cream of the crop when it comes to Florida Americana (Tampa Bay’s Have Gun, Will Travel, and Orlando’s Jordan Foley).

Sunday, July 30. 7 p.m. $10. Floridian Social, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg

Grrrl’s Night Tampa: Operation

Acoustic Kitty w/Spoiled Rat/Peace Cult/ Hovercar Tampa’s best new bands get their start at house shows and DIY venues, but they also book mini-ragers at essential rock clubs like Crowbar where this collection of punk and rock bands will camp out for a night. Friday, Aug. 4. 6 p.m. $12. Crowbar, 1812 N 17th St., Ybor City

Al Downing Birthday Celebration Tampa Bay’s jazz scene is seriously active, with players tackling everything from the next-gen sounds of la Domi and JD Beck or Thundercat, to more traditional work by classic jazz icons like Art Blakey, Django Reinhardt and Duke Ellington. This gig features disciples of the latter school celebrating the life and legacy of Al Downing, a legendary local jazz teacher, musician and mentor who also served St. Pete as the city’s first Black Commissioner of the Housing Authority and member of the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra. Sunday, Aug. 6. 2 p.m. $10 & up, no

cover for children 12 and under. Hough Hall at Palladium Theater, 253 5th Ave N, St. Petersburg

Beyoncé Stadium spectacles are essential for any wide-reaching concert scene, and Beyoncé’s world tour is a chance to hear one of the best pop-club music records ever, Renaissance, in person, while getting mega sweaty alongside 60,000 others in the Beyhive. Wednesday, Aug. 16. 7 p.m. $50 & up. Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa

Mac Miller Tribute: Beauxmonk w/ SydLive/Vern Senior/more Tampa Bay’s hip-hop scene stays busy, and there’s never a shortage of opportunities to see a rap show built around original music, but this one gets you into the hybrid indoor-outdoor space at Hooch and Hive where emcees and songwriters will pay tribute to one of the most beloved rappers of the last decade. Thursday, Sept. 7, 8 p.m. $14. Hooch and Hive, 1001 W Cass St., Tampa

Igorrr w/Melt-Banana/Otto Schirach

At two separate Ybor City addresses, Orpheum cemented itself as a boozy, essential Tampa Bay live music venue. One band that frequented both spots was Japanese punk outfit Melt-Banana. The act's manic stage legendary is legendary, and it’ll be good to once again see the noiserock favorite on an Orpheum stage that’s now living in North Tampa. Friday, Sept. 15. 7 p.m. $22. Orpheum, 14802 N Nebraska Ave. Tampa. SZA There aren’t very many better feelings than singing along to your favorite songs

with 16,000 of your closest friends. R&B queen SZA will lead the choir for this tour in support of S.O.S., 2022’s late-in-the-calendar sleeper album of the year that spent eight weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Friday, Sept. 22. 8 p.m. $233 & up (resale only). Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr.,Tampa

Wu-Tang Clan w/Nas/De La Soul The Hard Rock stays flexing on Tampa Bay’s music scene, and booking three giants of hip-hop for a friggin’ pool party is a great example of how the deep pockets and unique performance spaces at casino grounds make it a serious player in the local scene. Sunday, Sept. 24. 11 a.m. $130. Hard Rock Event Center Pool at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Rd. Tampa

LOCAL MUSIC

Ringo Starr and his all-Starr Band Ringo is a friend of Ruth Eckerd Hall where he normally plays private benefit gigs, but the public is invited to this one where outdoor venue The Sound gets to revel in Starr’s solo work and the music of the Fab 4. This iteration of the AllStarr Band—the 15th since 1989—features Toto’s Steve Lukather, Men At Work’s Colin Hay, Average White Band’s Hamish Stuart, and Woodstock keyboard whiz Edgar Winter, as well as a little help from saxophonist Warren Ham, and drummer Gregg Bissonette. Tuesday, Sept. 26. 7 p.m. $39 & up. The Sound, 255 Drew St, Clearwater

TV Girl One should definitely experience a Friday or Saturday EDM show at The Ritz, but the room (which was called The Masquerade from 1992-2006) is also a fantastic large indoor venue. Epitomizing the journey bands take in their progression, indie-pop band TV Girl is one of those outfits that cut its teeth at the since-relocated 100-ish capacity New World Brewery, and then the 298-cap Crowbar before making it to this Ybor City stage that’s hosted the likes of Snail Mail, Tyler Childers and Dashboard Confessional in recent years. If there was ever an argument to preserve Ybor venues of all sizes, this TV Girl show is it. Tuesday, Sept. 26. 8 p.m. Sold out. The Ritz, Ybor City Death Grips Red Hot Chili Peppers once played Jannus, dicks in socks and everything. Experimental hardcore/ hip-hop outfit Death Grip will probably keep it in the pants, but the energy will be along the same lines. Jannus can be just people packed in and chilling some nights, but this show is a chance to see it in its full, chaotic glory. Saturday, Sept. 30. 8 p.m. Sold out. Jannus Live, 200 1st Ave N. St. Petersburg Eric Church w/Whiskey Myers If you’ve never seen 19,000 cowboy boots in the air, then catch Church for one of his trademark, morethan-three-hour-long, sets of country that flirts with outlaw tradition without swimming too far out of the mainstream. Saturday, Sept. 30. 7:30 p.m. $72 & up. Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

DAVE DECKER

OLD FRIEND: St. Pete’s Floridian Social sings along with Laura Jane Grace.

By Josh Bradley & Ray Roa C CL Recommends

THU 20

Anthony Hamilton w/The Ton3s Anthony Hamilton has some of the most soulful, heartbreaking songs in R&B, and they’re going to hit just a little bit harder at this sure-to-be-sweaty stadium show. The 52-year-old and his wife, singer Tarshá, are getting a divorce after a decade together— and while the split is amicable, you can bet Anthony will let his pain creep into the performance alongside Grammy-nominated R&B trio The Hamiltones (aka The Ton3s). (Steinbrenner Field, Tampa)

Buckcherry w/Gunshine Four months after opening for Skid Row at the Hard Rock, the Anaheim-based hard rock quintet already has another new album to promote. According to frontman Josh Todd, Vol. 10 has no direct theme, other than being an album without any boring-ass filler songs. The band’s current show doesn’t have any of those either, with the possible exception of its closing cover of Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ‘69,” depending on how cynical you are about that. (Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater)

Ultimate Jazz Summer Jam: Fred Johnson w/Belinda Womack/Gumbi Ortiz/David Pate/Mark Feinman/ Alejandro Arenas/John Lamb/Jeremy Carter/more When this show arrives, there’ll be just 91 days until Clearwater Jazz Holiday returns to its home at Coachman Park. Let this free concert, however, remind you of the year-round effort the nonprofit puts forth when it comes to cultivating music education and jazz. The ensemble is an absolute who’s who of local players—including bassists John Lamb and Alejandro Arenas, saxophonists Jeremy Carter and David Pate, percussionist Gumbi Ortiz and drummer Mark Feinman, plus vocalists Fred Johnson, Belinda Womack and Ona K. Get there in time for the Young Lions Reunion Jam, too, where alum from Jazz Holiday’s outreach will get back together. (The Factory, St. Petersburg)

FRI 21

The Venus (vinyl release) w/Ben Katzman’s DeGreaser/Charlie/Chaunces

It’s been a busy week for St. Pete’s resident sci-fi surf rock outfit. Not only did a new twotrack EP drop on Bandcamp on Wednesday, but The Venus’ sophomore album Ancestor Simulation —a record made as frontman Alexander Charos dealt with improving his physical and mental health, and the necessary preparations for fatherhood—is being immortalized on limited-edition, numbered white-with-black-splatter vinyl. Only 300 copies were pressed, and whatever doesn’t sell at Crowbar on Friday night will hit Bandcamp. (Crowbar, Ybor City)

Backtrack Blues Band (album release)

Since 1980, Sonny Charles and his Chicagoblues-loving brethren have graced the local scene, while also appearing onstage alongside the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan and B.B. King. Charles and friends’ new A Day By the Bay album—their first since 2020— was recorded live at last year’s Tampa Bay Blues Festival (which Charles founded back in 1995), and excluding a Jimmy Reed cover, it’s entirely composed of band originals. (Side Door at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg)

Heat Fest 2: Bored Operator w/Blonde Gentlemen/The Tilt/Manna/Snacking/more

It was already hot AF when St. Pete’s Heat Fest launched a year ago, and at this point we’re hoping promoters change the name to Cold Front Palooza or something. Heat Fest 2 arrives this weekend, bringing with it three days of no

cover, live, local rock music that runs late when you can afford a hangover (10 p.m., FridaySaturday) and early when you need it to (7 p.m., Sunday). (Cage Brewing, St. Petersburg)

Kat Riggins Skipper’s has long been a cathedral of the blues in Tampa Bay, and this weekend it turns into a crystal ball when it welcomes one of the genre’s rising stars to bless the oak canopy of the Skipperdome. Kat Riggins—who cut her teeth at a small lounge in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida—has a deep, raspy vocal and an uncommon ability to connect with crowds. For her trouble, she’s been nominated twice in the 2023 Blues Music Awards (Soul blues album, Soul blues female artist). Riggins has spent her life in the blues, and now she’s the future of it, too. (Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa)

The Venus

continued on page 49

continued from page 47

Michael Franti & Spearhead w/ Fortunate Youth After bringing his bare feet to Jannus Live on the last two runs, eternally-positive and always-political pop songwriter, activist and former Disposable Heroes of HipHoprisy-leader Michael Franti gets a little closer to the beach and share a new single, “Big Big Love,” and Spearhead’s 12th studio outing, Follow Your Heart , which debuted at No. 2—only behind Harry Styles—one year ago. Reggae-rock favorite Fortunate Youth opens the show. What’s more is that seats in The Sound’s 200 section have been made available for just $25.

(The Sound, Clearwater)

Mudvayne w/Coal Chamber/Gwar/ Nonpoint/Butcher Babies The last time Mudvayne was in Tampa—during last summer’s reunion tour, opening for Rob Zombie—lead singer Chad Gray fell off the stage at the ol’ Gary, while performing “Not Falling.” Following the incident, he confirmed that he was OK and clear of any broken bones, but still sore. Just in case Gray, 51, forgets to remember his fall, we hope the pit will be equipped with a mattress or two on this, the second night of Mudvayne’s first headlining tour in 14 years. Intergalactic metal monster band Gwar, fresh off perhaps the most pornographic Tiny Desk concert in NPR history, opens the show. (Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa)

Raquel Lily w/Treis & Friends/Driveaway

Being banned is a commodity in Florida these days, and after making a name for themself on TikTok and Twitch, Raquel Lily was exiled from the latter for sitting on a cupcake during a steamy, hot tub performance of “Happy Birthday.” The Filipino-born songwriter brings their latest single, “Come Thru,” released last May, to this show where funky Tampa band Treis & Friends opens the show. (Hooch and Hive, Tampa)

Young The Giant w/Milky Chance/

Rosa Linn An October 2022 video of Sameer Gadhia covering a Tyler Childers’ “Shake the Frost” is gaining steam online right now, exposing Young The Giant’s frontman to a new demographic that can now get caught up on a special talent that’s been a gem of the indie-rock scene for a decade now. His band arrives in advance of a forthcoming album, American Bollywood , a record inspired by the country’s immigrants (Gadhia is a first-generation American whose parents left India for Michigan in the ‘80s). The show is bolstered by Milky Chance, an German indie-rock favorite of its own, also supporting a new album, Living In the Haze . (Yuengling Center, Tampa)

SAT 22

Clairmel w/Reconciler/Spanish

Needles/The Miller Lowlifes To get an idea of how long ago Clairmel used to run in the Tampa punk scene, all you have to do is go to the band’s Geocities page. For five years, the outfit (which in full disclosure includes Creative Loafing Tampa Bay photographer Dave Decker) released singles, EPs and two full lengths on revered punk imprint No Idea Records, plus Tampa’s own A.D.D. Records. “We have the itch,” Decker told CL about his band that’s only played twice in the last 20 years. “Should be a

solid show if I keep my chops dialed in.” Atlanta trio Reconciler opens the no cover show along with Miller Lowlifes, a new band from scene staple Matt Shumate. (The Bends, St. Petersburg)

Girls Rock St. Pete showcase Every summer, 40 girls and gender-expansive campers of all backgrounds between the ages of 8-17 come together for a week to form bands, write original songs, and end their time together with a live show known to bring in hundreds of fans. “Between 8-14, girls’ confidence levels drop significantly and often stay low throughout adulthood negatively impacting long-term professional success and mental health. As girls take risks and see the payoffs, they gain the courage to take more risks and become resilient,” a press release read. This year will see eight camper bands—one includes CL contributing photographer Sandra Dohnert’s daughter on lead vocals—as well as an opening slot from Anarkitty, an all-girl band made up of Girls Rock St. Pete alumni that opened for Pussy Riot at the 2022 iteration of St. Pete Pride.

(Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)

Then & Now: Jeremy Carter and James Suggs

If you wanted an encore of Jeremy Carter and James Suggs’ “Then & Now” program, you have it. Across two sets at Palladium’s Side Door Cabaret, the saxophonist and trumpet player will work in a quintet that explores Latin music, blues and jazz. (Side Door Cabaret at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg )

Lynyrd Skynyrd w/ZZ Top/Uncle Kracker

It hasn’t been an easy decade for classic southern blues rock bands. With the death of Gary Rossington earlier this year (merely a week before his band’s Strawberry Festival-closing gig) Lynyrd Skynyrd is now more-or-less a family-oriented tribute act. And Dusty Hill’s 2021 death ended ZZ Top’s reign as the longest-running band without a lineup change. Still, against all odds, both Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted acts are managing to carry on with a few fresh faces, and kick off a co-headlining tour in West Palm Beach before heading to the ol’ Gary. Oh, and you can’t forget Uncle Kracker, either, whose version of “Drift Away” was a no. 1 hit at one point in 2003. (Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa)

Colombia Independence Celebration: Maelo Ruiz w/Daniel Carderon More than 200 years ago, an uprising in Bogotá brought independence to Colombia, and to celebrate the roughly 35,000 Colombians in the Bay area (sixth largest population of any U.S. metro) will dance to the sounds of Puerto Rican Salsa romántica singer Maelo Ruiz (Pedro Conga and his International Orchestra) and Colombian singer Daniel Carderon. (Avalon Event Center, Tampa)

Pool Kids w/Sydney Sprague/Chase

Petra If you ever forget that you’re legally an adult, Pool Kids may be your bag. Described in a press release as a “lightning strike of powerhouse pop, expansive emo, and irresistible math rock,” a common theme in the Tallahassee-based quartet’s music is that adulthood—and life in general—is not as easy as we think it’s going to be when we’re young. The band’s first album was shoutedout by Hayley Williams of Paramore in 2017,

which led to opportunities like opening for Origami Angel and—later this year—Soccer Mommy. And if you bought this ticket when it went on sale, remember that the show moved venues and is now at New World. (Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa)

SUN 23

Doug MacLeod The 77-year-old blues storyteller—with 25 albums and two guitar instructional DVDs under his belt—has played sideman for the likes of Big Mama Thornton and George “Harmonica” Smith, while also having been covered by Albert King. MacLeod, a Navy veteran, plays a trio of gigs in the area this weekend, starting in Fogartyville, then Bradenton, and capping it off at St. Pete’s most historic former Christian Science building. (Side Door at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg)

Yellowcard w/Mayday Parade/Story of the Year It looks like the Jacksonville pop-punk outfit has changed its mind about staying broken up. Since reuniting at Riot Fest in Chicago last year, the band that gave us “Way Away” announced not only a new EP—which drops two days before its first headlining show in Tampa since a 2015 stop at the since-relocated Orpheum in Ybor City—but a full run of shows celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Ocean Avenue album. No, the entire album won’t be performed, but nine tracks out of 13 ain’t bad. (Yuengling Center, Tampa)

MON 24

Goo Goo Dolls w/O.A.R. The earlyaughts come to Clearwater when four-time Grammy-nominated band Goo Goo Dolls plays alongside O.A.R., which successfully pivoted from soundtracking college Greek life to being date night favorites for Birkenstock-wearing moms and dads who can still drink like they did back in their fraternity and sorority days. Odds are O.A.R. frontman Marc Roberge joins the Goo Goo

Dolls onstage for a repeat performance of the Tom Petty Cover (“I Won’t Back Down”) they did on “Good Morning America,” and you can now catch the gig on The Sound’s lawn after the venue opened it up to accommodate demand. (The Sound, Clearwater)

TUE 25

Fall Out Boy w/Bring Me The Horizon/ Royal & The Serpent/Carr Don’t be too surprised if you see Pete Wentz gazing into the eyes of a manatee at ZooTampa ahead of Fall Out Boy’s first Tampa show since a private Stanley Cup ring concert in 2021. When the band stopped in Jacksonville on the Hella Mega Tour with Green Day and Weezer a few months before that, Wentz was enthralled enough by one he met at the Jacksonville Zoo that he dedicated “Save Rock and Roll” to it onstage. Oh, and a side note regarding the band’s personnel: In case you haven’t heard, guitarist Joe Trohman is back in the fold, following a brief mental health break earlier this year. Opening the show is U.K. rock giant Bring Me the Horizon, a Brit and Grammy-nominated quintet that’s sold more than 5 million albums and collaborated with an eclectic group of artists including Lil Uzi Vert and Daryl Palumbo of Glassjaw who both appeared on a new track, “Amen!.” (Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheater, Tampa)

WED 26

Man On Man Bringing new meaning to loud and proud, Man On Man—the Polyvinylsigned project from boyfriends Joey Holman (Holman) And Roddy Bottum (Faith No More, Imperial Teen, Crickets, Nastie Band)—was born in lockdown but broke out in a big way to bring unabashedly queer, sensual gay love songs (“1983”), plus a new album, Provincetown to fans. No opener has been announced, which we hope translates to more Man On Man action for locals who make it out to the hump day show. (Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa)

Man On Man

POLYVINYL

John Legend can usually sell out theaters and pack arenas, but he’s keeping it intimate for his next show in Tampa Bay.

Tickets to see John Legend play the Hard Rock Event Center at Tampa’s Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Oct. 29 go on sale Thursday, July 20 and start at $275.

The venue—which hosted an intimate show from Alicia Keys last year—holds just 1,500 people, making for one of the more coveted concert situations in Tampa.

Bedside Kites w/Laverty/Dunies/Jack Vinoy Friday, July 28. 9 p.m. No cover. The Bends, St. Petersburg

Damon Fowler Friday, July 28. 8 p.m. $20 & up. Side Door at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg

Discord Theory w/Pet Lizard/Felicity/ Take Lead/Giorgi Saturday, July 29. 7 p.m. $13. Crowbar, Ybor City

Austin Lucas w/Have Gun Will Travel/ Jordan Foley and The Wheelhouse Sunday, July 30. 7 p.m. $10. Floridian Social, St. Petersburg

Selwyn Birchwood Saturday, Aug. 5. 8 p.m. $25 & up. Hough Hall at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg

Escape From The Zoo w/Holy Locust Friday, Aug. 25. 7 p.m. $15. Orpheum, Tampa

Draining Kiss w/Glass Chapel/Sleeping

Pills/Offerings Saturday, August 26. 8 p.m. No cover. The Hub, Tampa

Sullivan King w/Kliptic Friday, Sept. 15. 10 p.m. Sold out. The Ritz, Ybor City

A press release says the show will feature reworked versions of Legend’s biggest hits, stories and cuts from his new album, Legend

It’s not Legend’s most intimate local performance though. In 2017 at the Tampa Convention center, he played a three-song set and spoke to young people at the Black Brown and College Bound summit.

See Josh Bradley’s weekly new concert roundup below.—Ray Roa

Avey Tare w/Geologist Thursday, Oct. 5. 7 p.m. $20. Music Hall at New World Brewery, St. Petersburg

Alfredo Rodriguez Trio Friday, Oct. 6. 8 p.m. $19.50 & up. Central Park Performing Arts Center, Largo

Moon Walker w/Nordista Freeze

Monday, Oct. 23. 7 p.m. $15. Hooch and Hive, Tampa

The Great Sonic Wars: Nghtmre B2B Pauline Herr Friday, Oct. 27. 10 p.m. Prices TBA. The Ritz, Ybor City

Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience Thursday, Nov. 30. 8 p.m. $35 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Randy Rainbow Friday, Dec. 1. 7:30 p.m. $43 & up. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg

Three Dog Night w/Firefall Sunday, Dec. 10. 7 p.m. $42.75 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Adventure Club w/Ryan Nevis/ Friendzone Friday, Dec. 22. 10 p.m. $25 & up. The Ritz, Ybor City

KAMRAN MALIK

First trap

By Dan Savage

I’m a 25-year-old woman who has never been in a relationship. As a consequence, I’ve never kissed anyone and obviously never had sex. I’m not from a conservative family and sex has never been a taboo for me, however as a teenager I disliked my body and I’ve always been shy and introverted, and I felt awkward interacting with the opposite sex. At 22, when I finally felt ready to date, the pandemic started. Now, it has been three years and my life isn’t going the way I was expected it to when I was younger. I’m dealing with mental health issues, and I lost whatever confidence I had in my early 20s.

SAVAGE LOVE

As I’m getting and feeling older, I’m anxious and desperate about this situation. Irrationally, I think that I’m the only 25-year-old in the world who’s still a virgin and I’m extremely ashamed of this. I’m worried that I’m missing a lot of opportunities and that later on I’m going to regret this. At this point, I don’t mind the idea of meeting someone through a dating app and having disinterested sex (I’m not looking for a serious relationship), but I’m worried that my potential partner might notice that I’m completely inexperienced. At this point I feel like I will never have the chance to be intimate with someone.

My questions: 1. Should I tell them? 2. Should I look for someone older and more sympathetic of my situation? 3. Are dating apps the only solution? 4. I generally feel more attracted to men once I get to know them. How long can I reasonably ask someone who is looking for something casual to wait? 5. Anything else I should know?—This Desperate Girl

My answers:

1. Yes, you should tell them. I know, I know: the thought of telling someone you’re inexperienced before having sex for the first time fills you with anxiety. But you know what will cause you more anxiety? Worrying that someone—your first someone—is going to realize you’re inexperienced before he can fill you with his dick. Now, you’re still going to feel anxious when you have sex for the first time; a lot of people feel anxious about sex the hundredth time. But pretending you’re someone or something you’re not—pretending you’ve done this a hundred times already—is going to make you feel more anxious in the moment than you need to or should. Also, being honest about your inexperience will simultaneously decrease your chances of winding up in bed with someone who wouldn’t want to be with an inexperienced partner and increase your chances of winding up in bed with someone who will be patient and understanding.

2. The right person, i.e., the more sympathetic person, might be older (by a little or a lot),

he might be younger (by a little or a lot), or he might be close to your own age (by hours or days or weeks). You’re not looking for the right number, TDG, you’re looking for the right guy. Someone you feel comfortable being honest with, someone who’s willing to invest a little time getting to know you, and, most importantly, someone who regards your inexperience as a responsibility. Not a burden, not an opportunity, but a responsibility. Some guys won’t want that responsibility; they’re the wrong guys for you. Some guys won’t be willing to get to know you; they’re the wrong guys for you. Don’t think of guys who pass or even ghost as having rejected you, TDG, think of them as having done you a favor. If the wrong guys get out of your way, TDG, the right guy (or guys) will get your attention.

3. Most people—mildly experienced, moderately inexperienced, severely experienced—meet on dating apps these days. According to the Pew Research Center, one-in-five partnered adults under the age of 30 met their partners or spouses online. Pew doesn’t have a stat for people who met their last hookup online, but if one-in-five people your own age met their committed romantic partners online—and one-in-10 of all partnered adults met their committed romantic partners online (according to the same study)—then we can safely say that one-in-waymore-than-five people your age met their last (or first!) hookup online. Get on the dating apps.

4. We’re in the midst of a sex recession. According to a study conducted by Indiana University—a study conducted just before to the pandemic—one-in-three men between the ages of 18-24 hasn’t had sex in the past year; according to a study conducted by New York University in 2022, 34% of young women are single and 63% of young men are single. Now, some of those single men are unfuckable hate nerds, as comedian Marc Maron famously described them (think guys sitting in front of their computers all day, watching porn, playing video games, and attacking women), but they’re not all unfuckable hate nerds. Some of these guys have histories similar to your own: they were shy, slow to launch, and then the pandemic hit. Which means there are lots of men out there, including millions of men close to your own age, who are just as inexperienced as you are. So, instead of being something that complicates your ability to connect with the right guy (or guys), TDG, your inexperience could be something that helps you connect. Don’t put “inexperienced and terrified!” in your profile— don’t lead with it—because that could attract the attention of guys seeking to leverage your inexperience against you. No, this is something you’ll want to share with a guy you’ve been texting with

for a bit and have a good feeling about. Meet up for a quick coffee in a public place, TDG, and have non-cancellable plans immediately after your date. If the guy passes the vibe check— if he doesn’t come across like an unfuckable hate nerd, if he resembles his photos, and if he doesn’t try to pressure you to cancel the plans you made for after your coffee date—tell him you’re interested in seeing him again and that you’re a pandemic virgin. There’s a pretty good chance he’ll be one too.

5. You’re telling these guys one thing they need to know about you—you’re inexperienced— but their reaction will tell you everything you need to know about them.

Can something count as an affair if you never do anything physical with the other person? I reconnected with an old friend, who is married. At first, it was fairly innocent. We had hooked up a long time ago, but it was kissing only. Years passed, and then we reconnected during the pandemic and began texting. And then the floodgates opened. He confessed he loved me then and loves me still. And he started describing all the things he wanted to do to me. Then we started describing them together. This has all been via text, but it’s not like sexting. Nothing porn-y. No genital pics. Nothing crude. It’s poetic, it’s erotic, it’s passionate. It’s like the perfect blend of love and sex, and there’s a huge amount of trust, support, friendship, everything you’d ever want in a partner. It feels like it’s love. It feels like I’ve found the person I was supposed to be with, if such a thing exists.

But there are obstacles. First and foremost, as mentioned, he’s married, even though he and his wife—from the way he describes it— married

seem more credible. Additional complications: I also have a partner, although we haven’t had a sexual relationship in ages.

so she could get a green card. Things are tense with her now. Not because of “us.” She doesn’t know about “us,” and they had issues before there was an “us.” She has anger issues, he says, and is emotionally abusive, but he has no plans to divorce her. He is thinking about buying her a separate place, so they can live apart. I know it’s a cliché: the married man complaining about his marriage to get some on the side. But he’s never made a move to have sex with me in person, which makes him

My “affair,” if that’s what it is, has been going on for months, but I put the sexting on pause as I felt guilty. But the love part didn’t stop. I want to resume the sexting, even if it’s only talk, but I want to understand what we’re doing and how we might be able to really be together without hurting other people.

—Sexless In Nearby Seattle

There’s no “being together,” assuming that’s even something he wants, without leaving your current partners, SINS, and there’s no leaving your current partners without hurting other people—namely, his wife and your partner.

Zooming out for second: what you describe sounds like a pretty unambiguous example of an emotional affair. And here’s the thing about emotional affairs… they take up a lot of space. They eat up a lot of emotional and erotic energy that might otherwise get plowed into an existing marriage or relationship. If you weren’t taking up so much of his time and meeting some important needs, he might be motivated to work on his marriage; if he weren’t taking up so much of your time and meeting some important needs, you might be motivated to work on your relationship. But if two people can honestly say that nothing they do or say will make their existing commitments any better (maybe you’ve tried and tried and nothing has worked) and you don’t have it in you to join hands and jump together (you’re not willing to go through the conflict and chaos of a pair of breakups for something that might not work out)… well, then no one who isn’t married to you would blame you for doing what you need to do to feel alive.

But if his marriage is as awful as he says it is… and your relationship is as sexually unsatisfying as you make it sound… the two people you’re cheating most are yourselves. By staying, you’re cheating yourself out of the chance—and it’s only a chance—that you could have everything you wanted (or come close to having everything you wanted) with one person. Passionate sex, loving words, someone living with and for you, for as long as it lasts. It’s a difficult choice and there is no easy or obvious answer.

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

5

6

3

2