Creative Loafing Tampa — November 24, 2022

Thanks for everything

What are you doing on Tuesday?

By Ray Roa

For 34 years, Creative Loafing Tampa Bay has listened to a very specific corner of its community when others wouldn’t. Since the beginning and to this day, that community has included the creative class—the artists, musi cians, vegans, nudists, et. al.—plus LGBTQ+ members, environmentalists and activists all pushing what was once seen as counter-culture.

And we do more than inform and listen to the community—we’re a part of it. We’re advo cates, consumers, influencers, and entertainers as well as reporters and promoters, invested and involved in every aspect of local and regional life in both professional and personal roles.

Our news desk’s mission has always been the same: To further create a more informed public and contribute to the formation of a just community by offering a consistent and free medium that is critical, fair, and focused on highlighting underserved and underreported voices and opinions.

Readers in our music, food, arts and enter tainment sections trust us to share the best

well-funded entities who’ve bent the ears of local decision makers signing off on decisions that’ll prove consequential for generations of Tampa Bay residents.

Listening to ignored corners of our commu nity, and hoping to affect change, has always been at the core of CL’s mission, but with all of this change, a new opportunity to listen has arrived. Over the last couple weeks, CL pub lisher James Howard and I started diving into a cohort that’s helping us explore how philanthro pists interested in supporting this publication might contribute so we can continue to serve you.

Artists who can no longer afford to live in the cities they beautify, historically-margin alized neighborhoods once again fighting off development, activists being silenced by special interests in city hall, and even every day people just trying to make ends meet all benefit from an alt-weekly ready to amplify their voices.

As our daily and TV stations pull back or put up paywalls—all while localized entertain ment websites refuse to share the side-effects of our metro’s rapid growth—the need to shed light on the less sparkling sides of life in our community grows more urgent. CL remains in a unique position to do that.

So on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29, we’re going to see if this thing is on. If you’ve got anything to spare, we’d love it if you visited bit.ly/cltam pabay (or scanned the QR code below) to join our Press Club, which we started in the wake of the pandemic when we laid off 67% of our staff. We’ve slowly started to build back, but if you want to make a one-time donation for as little as $1, it’ll be a good sign that there’s an appetite from the community to keep this thing going.

I’m grateful that you’ve made it this far in the column, and more than anything, I hope that you’re well.

SIDE NOTE: If anyone knows who took our boxes in Ybor City, shoot me an email.

Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and beyond have to offer, and we strive to create meaningful conversations and relationships to the benefit of all. We know that because if we miss a beat, our readers are the first to tell us.

As time’s gone on, much of what was per ceived as counter-culture has moved into the mainstream. Think about it: You’re probably going to hear a Qanon theory at the dinner table this week.

But as one of America’s fastest-grow ing metros continues its rapid ascent, more of the community has watched its voice get drowned out by the wants and needs of powerful,

Thanks for everything.

DAVE DECKER

City of Clearwater Tree Lighting Ceremony

Wednesday, Nov 30, 6 - 8:30 p.m.

Downtown Clearwater Holiday Stroll Nightly all December long

Miracle on Cleveland Street presented by Ruth Eckerd Hall Sunday, Dec. 4, 2:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Holiday Spirit of Lights Festival Friday, Dec. 9, 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

The Market Marie on Cleveland Street Saturday, Dec. 10, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Home for the Holidays Paws-on-Parade Benefiting the Humane Society of Pinellas Saturday, Dec. 17, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

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Garrison Brothers is bold, proud, and authentic. It’s homegrown and handcrafted from the finest ingredients. And It’s always been the perfect holiday gift for friends and family (or yourself.) Life is simply too short

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For freedom

By Dave Decker

Last Saturday—just days before Iran’s national team refused to sing the country’s national anthem at the World Cup—100 cities across the glob participated in widespread action to show support and pay respects for Mahsa Amini and countless other Iranian protestors killed and detained by “Morality Police” or Guidance Patrol.

Local Iranian student associations helped stage one action at Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa. The rally was triple-pronged in its message of support by also paying tribute to those killed in “The Silent Massacre of 2019” in addition to remembering the 176 victims of Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 which was shot down by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp shortly after takeoff on Jan. 8, 2020. The airplane was enroute to Kiev from Tehran.

“Woman, Life , Freedom” could be heard in the chants of around 100 people in attendance against the backdrop of the historic minarets of The University of Tampa during the action, which was met with zero opposition from passersby and park attendees. Read more and see all the photos via cltampa.com/slideshows.

POLITICS ISSUES OPINION

Three’s company

Janet Cruz says she’s running for Lynn Hurtak’s Tampa City Council seat.

By Ray Roa

Two weeks after losing her seat in the Florida Senate, Janet Cruz has plans to run for the Tampa City Council seat currently occupied by Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak. Cruz shared her intention to challenge the popular first-term councilwoman in the latest edition of La Gaceta. A spokesperson for Cruz confirmed the news, adding that the outgoing senator intended to file paperwork last Wednesday. Cruz’s spokesper son told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that after the senator’s loss to Jay Collins, people quickly began urging her to continue public service.

Tampa’s upcoming munici pal election—when voters will decide on city council members and whether or not to keep Mayor Jane Castor in office—are set for March 7, 2023.

The news arrived as Hurtak was in Denmark on city business alongside Tampa’s Sustainability & Resilience Officer Whit Remer. The duo was sent on the trip by the mayor so that they could learn more about Copenhagen’s Biogas food waste to energy plants.

Hurtak had plans to return late the night after Cruz’s announcement according to her legislative aide, and was unavail able to comment. But in a Twitter post from Denmark, Hurtak thanked the mayor for sending her on the trip, and officially announced her intent to stay in the D3 seat, after filing to run on Halloween.

Hurtak was named to her seat in April, after the contentious exit of Councilman John Dingfelder.

“[Sustainability is] just one of the things I’m proud to have worked on in my seven months on Tampa City Council. Affordable housing, transit, better communication between city and neigh borhoods, and protecting women and doctors from being persecuted for health care decisions are some of the others,” Hurtak said. “But from talking with you all and reading every one of your emails, I’ve learned that we can do so

much more together to make Tampa a safer, more prosperous, more sustainable and more inclusive city… I’m proud of what we’ve accom plished together. With your help we can satisfy Tampa’s full potential.”

Despite two other open city-wide council seats occupied by Joseph Citro and Charlie Miranda, Cruz picked District 3, where Hurtak has served for just seven months. Cruz’s entrance into Tampa’s 2023 municipal election pits her

or ensuring our great city is sustainable and resilient for future generations, I will never stop fighting for the hardworking people and families of our community. When elected, I plan to put community priorities ahead of politics because divisiveness has no place in City Hall.”

Cruz’s spokesperson did not say whether or not Hurtak contributed to the divisiveness, and instead replied, “you haven’t seen council over the last two years?”

In city hall, the last year alone has been marked by conflicts and “unprecedented” friction between the mayor and city councilmembers, with some council members butting heads with Castor’s administration over a myriad of things from the mysterious approval of a more than

if Cruz wins the council seat and has to act as a check on the power of a mayor who’s previously clashed with city council.

“Absolutely not,” Cruz’s spokesperson added, “there is a delineation of power for a reason and frankly, it’s an insult to insinuate that someone with such a proven track record of delivering for her constituents would embark on this race if there was any conflict at all.”

Despite being involved in two Department of Justice investigations, Mayor Castor is a clear favorite to win re-election against two challengers, Jeff Godsell and Belinda Noah. Castor and Cruz winning their elections would create a seemingly unprecedented situation in Tampeño politics where a mayor serves while her de-facto mother-in-law sits on Tampa City Council.

What’s more is that the City of Tampa Charter (10.01, section 4) says that “should a vacancy occur in the office of mayor, within fif teen (15) months or less of the term remaining the chairperson of the city council shall be mayor until the expiration of such may or’s term.”

Should Cruz win her race, she hypothetically could be named Council Chair in May. (Although it’s more likely that Guido Maniscalco, who’s run ning for council’s District 2 seat, would be named chair.) It’s safe to assume that Castor would finish out her four-year term, but she could also very well be tapped for a job in the Biden administration (she’s been at the White House a lot), decide to get into lobbying, buy a sports team or even run for governor.

against the only woman on Tampa City Council, and places her in a contest that already has two other female candidates: Gwendolyn Henderson and Sonja P. Brookins.

“Senator Cruz is running for this seat because it’s an open seat and believes voters should be able to choose their elected leaders and looks forward to engaging Tampa voters and, if so lucky, once again serving the residents of this great city,” Cruz’s spokesperson added.

In a statement to CL, Sen. Cruz added, “Whether it’s working on housing affordability, transportation options, workforce development,

$100 million contract for Tampa’s Hanna City Center, to rent control and even more protec tions for councilmembers when they are sued.

While Hurtak has stood alongside the mayor, like during the launch of the city’s housing hot line, she has also voted against the mayor on other issues relating to affordable housing and more recently letting voters decide on subpoena power for a citizens police review board.

Sen. Cruz is the mother of Ana Cruz, the partner of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. On her Twitter, Ana Cruz calls herself “Tampa’s 1st Lady.” Some might even see a conflict of interest

That’s what happened to Tampa’s first woman mayor, Sandy Freedman, who served as Council Chair from 1983-1986. When then-mayor Bob Martinez decided to run for governor, Freedman took over the remain der of his term, and then earned the vote two more times, serving as the leader of Tampa from 1987-1995.

If Cruz does have any aspiration to be Tampa’s mayor one day, winning this city-wide race is certainly a good step. Asked about the possibility of ending up mayor, Cruz’s spokes person told CL, “These are all hypothetical questions and [we’ll] need to win the race first.”

CROWDED HOUSE: Cruz (L) and Hurtak are two of four women in the race for Tampa City Council District 3.

Check engine

HART board wants an independent investigation into CEO.

By Justin Garcia

On Monday, the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit board said the agency will consider an independent investigation into manage ment issues with the CEO. The announcement comes after Creative Loafing Tampa Bay revealed that over 50 administrative level employees have left the agency recently, many alleging a toxic workplace. Two weeks ago, Le Grand suddenly terminated seven more high-ranking staff. During a HART committee meeting, Pat Kemp, Chair of the board, said they tried to schedule an emergency meeting for today, but that there’s a seven-day requirement for the public to be notified. Instead, another meeting to discuss the details of the investigation will be scheduled.

“I wanted to let board members and the public know that the Board of HART takes very seriously the management issues that we’ve been hearing and reading about,” Kemp said. “I’ve been in discussion with our General Counsel David Smith about what course of action that we should take, and he’s here vir tually today and will explain to the committee and the public what’s going to happen next.”

Smith said that he’s working with HART board members to organize an investigation as quickly as possible. “When I was tasked with doing this to determine how we would proceed from here, I com municated in the interim with both the CEO and the board,” Smith added.

Smith said that the group decided to propose the investigation be handled by outside independent counsel. During the meeting, an emotional Le Grand said that she agrees to the investiga tion, but preferred an investigation by the HART board—as opposed to an out side investigation.

“I met with HART’s attorney and we talked about discussing an outside third party investigation for this issue, so we’re moving in the same direction,” Le Grand said. “But I believe an inves tigation that’s led by the board will take it to a higher level. And I believe that is what we need.”

Mayor Jane Castor, who sits on HART’s board, said that the investigation should get moving forward as quickly as possible. “This is a very important issue, you know, to ensure that we get an investigation moving forward for our community and in fairness to Miss Le Grand as well,” Castor said.

The board voted unanimously to hold a spe cial meeting on Nov. 29 or Nov. 30, whichever day that there is a quorum to decide on the details of the investigation. During her brief remarks during the meeting, Le Grand said that the public deserves transparency and to know that HART operates “beyond reproach.”

She referenced the fact that her Chief Customer Experience Officer Teri Wright had

morale due to her behavior. “I am committed to being a transparent and accountable leader to the organization,” Le Grand said. “I want to make sure we offer the highest level of customer service while creating a positive work environment. I’m sure in the coming days you’ll decide on the scope of your investigation.”

Early this month, CL found that HART concealed a docu ment which alleged CEO Adelee Le Grand of being a “dictator and tyrant.”

letter—or even not documenting it properly— would be a violation of Florida’s Sunshine Law and the Public Records Act, which require that such records be maintained by government agen cies and provided upon request.

LOCAL NEWS

In the leaked letter obtained by CL, former Director of Communications and Marketing Nikki Frenney aired her grievances before she left the organization last April. Since August, CL

“It’s often said that people quit bosses, not jobs,” Frenney wrote in the letter addressed to CEO Adelee Le Grand, with for mer Chief Customer Experience Officer Teri Wright cc’d. “I tender my resigna tion due to the hostile work environment and toxic culture you have single-handedly created, your blatant disrespect for me and my position, and the distress you have caused me.”

In the letter, Frenney pointed out that she had only been working for the organization for three-and-a-half months, but that she couldn’t take it anymore. Frenney wrote the letter as part of her resignation, but declined to make any comment on the record.

The recent employee exodus was men tioned in Frenney’s resignation letter.

“It is clear that you have a problem with anyone who challenges your opinions and your defense mechanism is to ice us out and impede our success,” Frenney wrote. “It’s what you have systematically done to people who disagree with you or who you simply do not like or respect. You do not encourage an open exchange of ideas. You act as a dictator and tyrant.”

Frenney mentioned specific instances where Le Grand allegedly acted unprofessional, including multi ple instances earlier this year where she was yelled at by the CEO for trying to get her to communicate with the media.

“While I attempted to defend my position, you continued to berate me in front of another employee as I stood in shock of your tone and demeanor,” Frenney wrote.

Frenney demanded three months severance, claiming she had to break her lease in Tampa in order to move back home to Atlanta. CL has requested cop ies of Frenney’s severance agreement, including any non-disclosure agreements she may have signed.

Le Grand told CL that she never came across Frenney’s resignation letter.

worked a second job in New Orleans, and said that Wright “violated my trust in a way I didn’t even know was possible.” However, several sources inside HART say that Le Grand knew Wright was working two jobs at once, but wanted her to stay to help manage the agency.

Le Grand also addressed the high turnover at the organization, and the alleged problems with

has sent HART’s public records team multiple requests for the letter, but was told that it could not be found. This week, the letter was shared by a source that wished to remain anonymous out of fear of retribution.

The same source alleged that the docu ment was purposefully kept from the public by higher-ups in the organization. Concealing the

“I can tell you unequivocally, I have never received a letter from Nikki. I’ve never seen the letter, I’ve never read the letter,” Le Grand said. “I do not now, nor ever had in my possession a letter from Nikki.”

When asked if she would like to see the let ter so she can respond to it, Le Grand said she would have to check with HART’s legal team and get back to CL, but did not respond to mul tiple requests for comment after that. Read the latest via cltampa.com/news.

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY BOB WHITMORE

LET Heaven & SingNATURE

PRESENTED BY

NOVEMBER 25 - JANUARY 8

Enjoy a relaxing stroll through beautiful displays of poinsettias, begonias, evergreens, and other seasonal greenery throughout the Olmsted Gardens. Ring in the season with daily holiday carillon concerts. Let your heart be light with music, beauty, culture, and more.

THE ORLANDO PHILHARMONIC BRASS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10

STARRY, STARRY NIGHT: AN EVENING OF STARGAZING, ART, SCIENCE

Featuring NASA Astronaut Nicole Stott FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16

YULETIDE: A SOLSTICE CELEBRATION

Featuring The Byrne Brothers WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21

One wish

Contamination of Tampa’s recycling is at an all-time high.

By Colin Wolf

While there are surely a few Tampa resi dents out there who spend a few extra minutes each week breaking down boxes or rinsing a couple marinara jars before taking out the recycling bin, it seems more and more of us would rather use these green receptacles as backup trash cans.

Last week, the City of Tampa’s Solid Waste Department released a statement claiming that recycling contamination is at an all-time high. The department says that many residents are just unaware of what items can be recycled, and may be doing what is called “wishcycling,” which is when you basically just hope and pray some thing is recyclable when it most definitely is not.

“Contaminants are items that are not accepted in the recycling program and turn your recycling into nothing more than trash,” says the statement. “There are many types of recycling contamination, including plastic, food waste, and more. Some contami nants are worse than others and most are easily avoidable.”

Rather than just list common items the department says are not recyclable, the city pointed residents to download an app, which allows users to search if certain items should go in the trash or the recycling bin. For example, the app says plastic grocery bags and greasy pizza boxes should not go in the recycling bin, nor should your neighbor’s dog poop bags. It’s an extra step that surely the people who refuse to break down a cardboard box will love to do. And for those people, cltampa.com has a graphic from the city’s website that provides most of the rules.

“In the last 12 months, City of Tampa resi dents and businesses have recycled over 3.6 million pounds of material,” said Shelby Lewis, Recycling Coordinator. “Now, we are hoping to grow that number even more with additional

knowledge and awareness on recycling the right way. Contamination risks the sustainability and success of the recycling program.”

People not knowing how and what to recycle seems to be an ongoing issue in Tampa. Back in 2020, the City of Tampa created stricter recycling rules following spikes in contamina tion, and after financial pressure from China’s “National Sword” policy, which was launched in 2017 and effectively halted the import of many recyclable materials and raised municipal costs for end processing. Recycling is now pretty expensive, and many cities are losing money on these programs. But it’s also important to note that recycling also isn’t necessarily easy for the individual.

Blake Morgan, author of “The Customer Of The Future,” made this same point in a 2021 piece for Forbes, arguing that governments aren’t making it easy for people to recycle, and too much of the weight is now put on private companies, which really don’t care to create better packaging.

“In many cases, it seems like companies only promote and encourage recycling as far as it improves their image and makes them look environmentally responsible,” said Morgan. “But the actions are surface-level and often make things difficult for well-meaning consumers.”

The other big issue is there’s no national standard for recycling, and so what’s left is a confusing patchwork of rules that vary from city to city. “A consistent recycling program could lessen the confusion and reduce waste,” Morgan continued. “Varying standards, even within cities and counties, leave consumers to make their best guesses about what’s best for the environment.”

In other words, with the recent large influx of new residents in Tampa it actually makes sense that a lot of people are now “wishcycling.”

TIGHTEN UP: Not everything can be recycled, guys.

Peanut gallery

When you elect clowns, you get a circus.

By Jeffrey C. Billman

Donald Trump’s third presidential cam paign launched like a fart in an elevator not because Republican elites awoke from their seven-year stupor to reject his racist griev ances, conspiracy theories, and authoritarian appeals. They turned on him because he bore a stench of defeat so thick that even Trump couldn’t pretend it didn’t exist.

Ever so slightly, Trump’s hold on the party had loosened. Maybe not permanently. Republicans denounced the Department of Justice’s appointment of a special counsel to investigate Trump, and the martyrdom of an actual indictment might do wonders to elevate his status in MAGAland. But Trump’s petulant, gas lighting response—falsely asserting that other former presidents had absconded with records, then saying he “won’t partake” in the investigation, as if it were optional—failed to rally the masses to his ban ner, not like it used to.

will warn them that these are terrible ideas that have no chance of going anywhere. But when you elect clowns, you get a circus, and poor Kevin McCarthy will be in no position to keep them in line. He’ll be the weakest House speaker in modern history—assuming he becomes speaker, which isn’t a foregone conclusion—his testicles in a vice owned by the Freedom Caucus.

INFORMED DISSENT

To be clear, it’s Congress’ job to investigate malfeasance and abuses of power. But that’s not what House Republicans have planned. They want two years of Benghazis—dubious hearings that, despite their limited merits, provide fodder for Tucker Carlson while Republicans fish for something substan tive enough to damage the Biden administration, a la Hillary’s emails. (Never mind that these same Republicans saw and heard no evil when the Trump administration was throwing the Constitution in a blender.)

Regardless of who leads it in 2024, however, the GOP is still the party that Trump molded in his image—high on its own supply, locked in a Fox News feedback loop. Consider that immediately after an election in which voters rebuked the GOP’s social extremism, threefourths of Senate Republicans voted against same-sex marriage.

More to the point, though, consider what House Republicans did as soon as they secured their slim majority: They promised to investigate Hunter Biden (and his laptop, and the social media compa nies that didn’t boost stories about his laptop before the 2020 election). To investi gate the FBI for investigating Donald Trump. To investi gate the DOJ for charging participants in the Jan. 6 insurrection. To inves tigate Anthony Fauci for trying to deal with the pandemic. To investigate the FBI director for using a taxpayer-funded plane to get on vacation, which Rep. Elise Stefanik believes is “illegal and unethical”; in fact, since 2011, executive branch policy has required FBI directors to use government airplanes for all flights, including personal trips. To cut off aid to Ukraine. To gut funding for the IRS. To play Russian roulette with the debt ceiling. To impeach the secretary of Homeland Security.

They haven’t said so yet, but I’d wager a notsmall sum they’ll pass a national abortion ban and find an excuse to impeach Joe Biden before the next election, too. The party’s political minds

Look no further than the news conference given last Thursday by the Reps. James Comer and Jim Jordan, the incoming chairmen of the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees, respectively.

“Committee Republicans have uncovered evidence of federal crimes committed by, and to the benefit of, members of the president’s family,” asserted Comer, an election-denying Trump sycophant. “These include conspiracy or defrauding the United States, wire fraud, con spiracy to commit wire fraud, violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, vio lations of the Trafficking Victims Protections Act, tax evasion, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The Biden family’s business dealings implicate a wide range of criminality from human trafficking to potential violations of the Constitution.”

The 31-page report the Republicans produced didn’t cite any of the aforementioned crimes. Instead, it lobbed accusations of “self-dealing” and “corruption” while vaguely referencing unnamed whistleblowers and reports of suspi cious banking activity—one of which “implies Hunter Biden has some connection to a sex trafficking operation.” (To translate: He might have paid a prostitute.) They claim that Joe Biden, while he wasn’t in public office, was a partner in one of Hunter’s dealings with an oil company in China—again, not a crime, though, if true, unseemly.

Let’s see what else the Biden Mafia is up to: “From Valerie Biden Owens, the President’s ‘sis ter, confidante, and longtime political strategist,’ penning a book about the Biden family shortly after the inauguration to Francis ‘Frank’ Biden ‘promot[ing] his relationship to the commanderin-chief in an Inauguration Day advertisement for the law firm he advises[,]’ the Biden fam ily’s monetization of the President’s time in Washington is well documented.”

Maybe don’t bring out the guillotine yet.

It’s clear Hunter will be the villain of the next two years: his business ventures in Ukraine and China, his affinity for booger sugar, and so on. But congressional Republicans might have to get in line: The same DOJ that’s investigating Trump is also investigat ing Hunter. A probe of his overseas business

dealings has boiled down to scrutiny of his taxes and statements he made about his drug use when he bought a gun. A Trump-appointed prosecutor will ultimately decide whether to charge him.

Only 28% of Americans think Hunter Biden’s finances should be a top priority for the next Congress—not coincidentally, the same percent age wants Congress to put impeaching Biden on the front burner. Some of the GOP’s savvier political minds want to distance themselves from the freak show. But that’s what you get when you align with extremists.

On Thursday, when reporters tried to ask Comer about, well, anything else, he cut them off. “If we could keep it about Hunter Biden, that would be great.”

The man has priorities.

‘TIS THE SEASON: Trump’s third presidential campaign launched like a fart in an elevator.

DAVE DECKER

“The GOP is still the party that Trump molded in his image.”

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Shit Happened

The place was a haven for working class cyclists, but the chances of anything remotely serving the working class landing there are about as good as me actually being able to fix a bike myself.

MONDAY 21

Gas prices drop again as Florida residents hit the road for Thanksgiving travel. Thanks, Joe Biden.

Davis Islands Beach once again went under a swim advisory due to poop water. You should go tell that uncle you don’t like to go for a swim.

State regulators sign off on electric utilities like TECO and Duke Energy collecting hundreds of millions of dollars from customers next year to pay for projects aimed at bolstering the power system against storms. Is that how capitalism works?

FRIDAY 18

TUESDAY 22

Days before being sworn in, brand new Hillsborough County Commissioner Joshua Wostal taps his inner Elon and Tweets out a poll suggesting the solution to the county’s transit agency’s problems might be “Uber like services.” Yeah, I’m taking transit insight from the guy who runs the local UPS store.

More shit, arguing with family members at the dinner table, via cltampa.com/news.

GOOGLE MAPS

After 62 years, Tampa’s Joe Haskins Bicycle Shop announces plans to close next month.

RESTAURANTS

RECIPES DINING GUIDES

Breaking bread

A culinary history of Tampa.

By Andrew T. Huse

If food defines culture, then what kind of city is Tampa? The answer can be found in these 10 notable meals, which together offer a taste of the city’s charmingly crazy history.

Editor’s note: When it comes to Tampa history stories during Thanksgiving, the guy who wrote a book about the Cuban sandwich is probably your go-to source. Luckily, that author—Andy Huse, an archivist in Special Collections on the Tampa campus at the University of South Florida Libraries—wrote “A history of Tampa in 10 Meals” for Creative Loafing Tampa Bay way back in 2008.

I stumbled upon the piece while research ing Huse’s latest book “The Cuban Sandwich: A History in Layers,” which he co-authored with Bárbara C. Cruz, Professor of Social Science Education at USF, and Jeff Houck, former Food Editor at Tampa Tribune.

All of the meals here are fascinating for their historic significance, and while some may be some what expected (oysters at the old Tampa Bay Hotel, Christmas at MacDill Field), others are hilarious (a hot meal at the airport) and downright jaw-drop ping (integration at the Woolworth lunch counter, the fact that downtown Tampa’s University Club didn’t admit women until the late-’80s).

We hope you enjoy revisiting this vintage CL content as much as we did.—Ray Roa

Fort Brooke festivities, 1824

United States soldiers and a band of Seminole Indians gathered at remote Fort Brooke to cel ebrate Independence Day in 1824. And boy, did they celebrate: The participants raised glasses of liquor in countless toasts to the accompani ment of 21-gun salutes. More than a decade of peace followed the festivities, but the fellowship of old proved elusive. The Second Seminole War began in 1835 and decimated Florida’s struggling Indians. Today, Fort Brooke is memorialized with the mighty Fort Brooke Parking Facility.

Ybor City’s first Christmas Eve, 1886

Having just moved his factories to Tampa, cigar factory owner Vicente Martinez Ybor feared his restive workers would slip back to Key West or Cuba for the holidays and never return. So he and his wife acted fast: They invited workers and their families for a Christmas Eve (or Noche Buena) feast at his mansion amid the swamps and

sand. There was a Christmas surprise: As a sign of gratitude, Ybor divided the profits between his workers, $6,000 in all, or about a month’s wages per worker. Ybor’s gesture won his employees’ confidence, and Cigar City survived to delight and vex generations of Tampans and tourists.

Tampa Bay Hotel opens, 1891

When tycoon Henry Plant brought his railroad to Tampa in 1884, he found a pathetic hardscrabble town of 700 people. But in the years after the rail road connection, Tampa’s elite clamored for Plant to open a luxury hotel in his latest terminus. On Feb. 5, 1891, Plant’s Tampa Bay Hotel opened with a grand ball. At 9 that evening, the capacity crowd

up lavish meals with menus written entirely in mangled French. But with a short tourist season of just four months, the hotel never really flour ished. The old Tampa Bay Hotel is now home to the University of Tampa and the Henry Plant museum.

Jose Marti poisoned, 1893

Jose Marti—poet, politician and martyr of Cuban independence—visited Tampa on about 17 occasions. He gave enthralling speeches, raised funds for the Cuban insurrection against Spain and almost got himself killed here in 1893. One night, Spanish secret agents bribed Marti’s body guards and poisoned his drink (some say tea, others insist it was gin). When the would-be Spanish assassins were discov ered, they begged an ill Marti for forgiveness, which he gave. Marti recovered at the home of Paulina Pedroso (on Eighth Avenue and 13th Street), a sympathetic Afro-Cuban. In 1895,

notorious meals took place: the Free Love Society’s lusty banquet. The host was Frederick Leontiff Weightnovel, a self-proclaimed doctor from Russia who had concocted his own brand of hair tonic. A tall, flamboyant long-haired hedonist, Weightnovel treated “feminine complaints” from his office down town in the remnants of Fort Brooke. He was known to abort unwanted pregnancies.

Tampa’s own Rasputin held his Free Love Society banquet at the Old Habana Hotel in Ybor City. Thirty of Tampa’s most eligible (and incor rigible) bachelors arrived on horseback, clad in colorful costumes and sashes.

HISTORY

Multiple aphrodisiac-laden courses of food greeted them inside, served by African-American women naked from head to toe. Even the anarchists of Ybor City reacted with outrage.

Weightnovel and his Free Love society got a free ride to jail that night, and it would not be his last. After a young woman died in his care in1902, police arrested him again. His two trials riveted the city, until the ill doctor was sentenced to hard labor in a prison camp. Ever defiant, he poisoned himself rather than submit to the sen tence. Today, Tampa celebrates debauchery and poisons itself on days named after a fictitious pirate. Weightnovel may not be the pirate Jose Gaspar, but at least he’s real.

BROTHERS/USF

enjoyed an opera. Then Mayor Herman Glogowski led a grand procession to the dining room for a reception and dancing. At 11, a buffet offered oysters, fish, cold roasts, salad and desserts. The party didn’t wind down until 1 a.m.; the guests slept on couches and chairs in the lobby, as the bedrooms had not yet been furnished.

The Tampa Bay Hotel frequently made head lines, especially during the Spanish-American war when journalists and generals commiserated from the veranda’s rocking chairs. The kitchen served

Marti landed in Cuba to join the insurrection, where he promptly died in battle. He left a great literary canon and a newborn nation behind.

A later owner of the Pedroso home deeded the land to the Cuban government in the 1950s, and it became Marti Park. Years later, the vandalizing of the striking Marti sculpture kicked off a proud Ybor tradition of statue desecration and theft.

The Free Love Banquet, mid-1880s

Sometime around 1885, one of Tampa’s most

Strike Street soup, 1920

Unlike most Floridians, the immigrants of Ybor City and West Tampa were not sheepish about unionizing and making demands of their employ ers. Unions managed to score a few victories in the early years, but they did not continue. When the cigar industry originally settled in Tampa, it did so with the knowledge that the city had agreed to lend its police force to the factory owners when labor troubles arose. During the strike of 1920, determined workers endured for 10 months outside the factories. The Tampa Tribune, at the time a zealous anti-labor advocate, raised the specter of “over-paid and corn-fed agitators [who] intend to absolutely annihilate the cigar industry in this city.” Labor newspaper El International fired back, saying that the pampered factory owners “Don’t know the anarchist-breeding effect of hunger on the victim ... champagne and caviar have always been at their service.”

In 1920, the producers stood firm against the strike, and employed the police and vigilantes to ransack the soup kitchens. They threw the food into the manure-laden streets. The destruction of soup kitchens dealt the union a deadly blow.

“Ybor’s gesture won his employees’ confidence, and Cigar City survived.”

NOCHE BUENA: Vicente Martinez Ybor gave workers one hell of a gift in 1886.

BURGERT

Before long, even the most fanatical strikers began to cave. The strike ended in February 1921 with $12 million in wages lost. The unions never fully recovered from the debacle.

Christmas dinner, MacDill Field, 1941 Tampa was already home to important mili tary installations when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The war led to construction of three air bases around the city: Drew Field, MacDill Air Force Base and Henderson Field, the remains of which lie beside the University of South Florida and the Yuengling Brewery (Mel’s Hot Dogs is its last remaining building).

The armed forces tried to make Christmas as pleasant as possible for recruits. The three airfields held a huge holiday feast for service men and their guests with white tablecloths and Christmas trees. The soldiers returned to the mess twice that day “on a basis of catch as catch can, no holds barred,” the Tribune observed. But the meal was marred by bad war news all over the world, and the holiday meals to follow would be less extravagant. Two years later, the commis saries cut the Christmas dinner luxuries found on the 1941 menu, such as ham, tomatoes, nuts, buttered peas, even pumpkin pie and lemonade. The ongoing war justified unprecedented military spending, especially in the southern U.S. Tampa has benefited from military spending ever since.

Tampa International Airport terminal dedicated, 1952

During the war, Drew Field was home to bomber pilots in training. In 1946, the old base became Tampa International Airport. In 1952, the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority spent $1 million on a new terminal, an unprecedented expense at the time. On a sweltering August day, 300 dignitaries crowded into Bartke’s Restaurant, the terminal’s “ultra modern” steakhouse. In a publicity stunt for the dedication, airlines flew ingredients to the restaurant from all over the hemisphere: fruit from Puerto Rico, avocado from Cuba, turtle from the Caymans and lobster from Canada. If the menu looked lavish, the guests were not always comfortable. The dining room’s air conditioner failed, forcing the suited dignitaries to wipe their brows with cloth napkins.

“mayor” of Ybor City, El Jefe kissed the hands of ladies in the crowd, while his cohorts gave away loaves of Cuban bread. He apologized for his tardi ness, and joked that menacing UFOs had thrown him off course. He then presented Mayor Curtis Hixon with the key to Ybor City, and everyone had a good laugh.

Lunch counter integration, 1960

violence that occurred in other places, keeping the city attractive to tourists. On Sept. 14, Tampa’s first day of integrated dining occurred when about 150 NAACP members dined at 18 lunch counters. They visited in groups of two on the off hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Among them was Clarence Fort. His dining partner did not show up for the historic event, forcing him to eat alone.

HISTORY

The heavy meal of steak, potatoes, fried chicken, onion rings and lobster must have seemed regrettable once the men joined a crowd of spec tators on the tarmac in the insufferable summer heat. For the next five hours, important people gave predictable speeches. Finally, the Air Force band from MacDill played the national anthem while the flag was raised.

Then three small propeller planes landed and taxied nearby. Tony Pizzo, a local liquor dealer and historian, emerged from one of the planes dressed like a dictator of a banana republic. Posing as the

Sit-ins by black college students began in Greensboro, North Carolina early in 1960. Disgusted by segregation practices that allowed them to spend money in stores like Woolworth’s and Kress but excluded them from the lunch coun ters, young African-Americans took action. Soon, activists crowded into lunch counters across the country and demanded to be served. Tampa’s NAACP Youth Council began sit-ins early in February. After only three days, local merchants sued for peace, promising to come to an agreement behind the scenes.

It took some strong voices of reason, such as those of Robert Saunders (Tampa NAACP field secretary), Rev. A. Leon Lowry (who once taught MLK) and Clarence Fort (head of the Youth Council), to hold back the young activists from further action for the next six months. The negotiations helped spare Tampa from the racial

“Now that was a frightening experience,” he recalled years later. “I was too nervous to even eat. It was early in the morning, with bacon, cof fee, and just as I started to butter my toast, two white guys came up, and they said, ‘Look what we have here, a nigger at the lunch counter.’ Other people were there; two or three got up and left. But I’d say at least 10 remained.”

Fort paid his bill and left a full plate of food behind. A cooperative police officer made sure that he left safely. It may not have been a very pleasant meal, but it paved the way for future generations.

The University Club admits women, 1988

The invite-only University Club, perched high above Tampa in a downtown skyscraper, served up a fine gumbo. But the city’s own “He Man Woman Haters” club had one major problem: women kept getting invited to dine there, but club rules denied them entry.

Then, in 1974, the club turned away County Commissioner Betty Castor. She left with dig nity and dished the story to a hungry press. The story traveled as far as The New Yorker. Members claimed that women’s high-pitched voices were too loud for gentlemanly dining. If corporate ladder-climbing women wanted to attend power lunches, they were told to go someplace else— Malio’s Steakhouse, perhaps.

But by the mid-1980s, women had risen in America’s corporate boardrooms, law offices and medical practices. Soon, professional associations could no longer book their powwows in the lofty University Club. A Supreme Court decision had forcibly integrated the Rotary Club nationwide after banning gender discrimination in clubs where business is conducted. Even the American Bar Association suggested that lawyers spurn discriminatory clubs. The controversy in Tampa continued until the University Club held a meeting and conducted a secret vote in 1988. The member ship consented to allow women to join the club and dine there. The genie was out of the bottle. Soon women and minorities joined the club.

Did women win much? Sure, they won begrudging respect from a few stubborn men. Now the members-only club discriminates in less obvious ways. What are the odds they would wel come an applicant who makes minimum wage?

WOOL-WORTH IT: Tampa’s first day of integrated dining happened in September 1960.

ROBERTSON AND FRESH/USF

Feast mode: Who’s open for dine-in on Thanksgiving?

So, you don’t feel like cooking—and that’s perfectly fine. But maybe you have some outof-town relatives that you need to impress with Tampa Bay’s waterfront views, or you’re just looking for a casual dinner at a dive bar. Here are 30 different restaurants, hotels, bars and nonprofits offering dine-in on turkey day or take-out Thanksgiving feasts this year— and please don’t forget to tip. See more via cltampa.com/food.

—Kyla Fields

Bar548 Far from your traditional dinner, this “misfits Thanksgiving,” is a pot-luck style cel ebration that welcomes everyone who might spend this holiday season alone. The St. Pete bar will provide the turkey and stuffing, as guests that bring side dishes can receive 20% off their entire tab. Oh, and make sure to bring plenty of tip money, too. 548 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. bar548.com

Bon Appétit Although this Dunedin favorite is keeping its regular seafood-focused menu this holiday season, it will also offer exclusive a-la-carte Thanksgiving dishes like baked ham and roasted duck. Pan-seared sea bass over gulf shrimp hash anyone? 148 Marina Plaza, Dunedin.bonappetitrestaurant.com

Caddy’s Treasure Island’s Caddy’s— in addi tion to its sibling locations in Madeira Beach and Gulfport—is offering a casual, beachy spin on a traditional Thanksgiving spread of turkey, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole and more. 8 a.m.-11 p.m. 9000 W Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. caddys.com

Cool Vibes Pub & Grub Far from white tablecloths and fancy forks, this no-frills bar and restaurant offers a casual (and extremely affordable) holiday spread of slow-roasted turkey, mac and cheese, stuffing and green bean casserole. $7-$12. 5488 58th St. N, St. Petersburg. mycoolvibes.com

Don Cesar A bougie beachside brunch buffet rises up at the Don with some of the usual sus pects (turkey), but also a smattering of special items like the seafood and oyster bar, berry French toast, orange brined duck breast, lamb ribs, three-pepper crusted swordfish, chicken and waffles, and more. The King Charles Thanksgiving Brunch Buffet includes eight timed entries from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., with dis counts for kids 5-12 years old. $50-$125. 3400 Gulf Blvd., St Pete Beach. doncesar.com

Eddie V’s Carver City is an appropriate place to have a Thanksgiving meal, and the neigh borhood’s resident fancy seafood restaurant turns to fowl for this eight-item meal that includes brioche sage stuffing and pumpkin pie tartlet and pecan ice cream for dessert for an extra $12. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. $17-$47. 4400 W Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa. eddiev.com

Epicurean One of South Tampa’s premier fine dining restaurants has a three-course meal where diners can pick between four different items per course (we’d go with the bourbon-glazed toasted pecan pork belly for starters, turkey roulade entree, and pumpkin pie with bourbon whipped cream for des sert). Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available, too. Limited lounge, bar and a la carte kids menu is available as well. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. $40-$75. Élevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar at Epicurean Hotel, 1207 S Howard Ave., Tampa. epicureanhotel.com

Fenway Hotel Your amuse bouche (but ternut squash soup), salad, entree (pick

between smoked prime rib, honey-brined turkey or apple-cranberry-stuffed pork rou lade), sides and dessert (we want the spiced praline bread pudding) will probably have you feeling sleepy, but don’t forget to walk out of the Fenway’s Hew Chophouse and straight to the rooftop bar for crazy views you’ll be grateful to live next to any day.

Kids under five are free. $25-$75. Hew Parlor & Chophouse, 453 Edgewater Dr., Dunedin. fenwayhotel.com

Flor Fina Ybor City’s beautiful Hotel Haya pays homage to the district’s Latin roots (and the Mediterranean) with a thanksgiving dinner that includes butternut squash empanadas, oyster and chorizo stuffing, plus choco flan. Sides include smoked beet & manchego montedito (tapas style bread) and baconwrapped green beans with mushroom crema. Kids under 5 are free. $25-$75. 1412 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. hotelhaya.com

Floridan Hotel This all-day buffet fea tures brunch dishes in the morning and Thanksgiving classics for dinner. Main courses are honey-glazed ham, roasted turkey and grilled salmon, while a few comforting sides include sweet potato casserole and traditional stuffing. $70.80. 11 a.m.-5 p.m, 905 N Florida Ave., Tampa. floridanpalace.com

Found Family Feast The inaugural “Found Family Feast” will be hosted by the Found Family Collective (FFC), a Tampa Bay-based group that seeks to be a source of support for those ostracized by heteronormative society at large. The event is open to all queer and trans people who want to join, no questions asked. 2 p.m. Free, donations accepted. Allendale United Methodist Church, located at 3803 Haines Rd. N, St. Petersburg—Justin Garcia

The Galley Don’t let its dive bar reputation deter you. The Galley dishes out some of the best food in downtown St. Pete, and its special Thanksgiving menu will pair well with its stiff drinks. From a full turkey spread to a “steak n’ legs” special with filet mignon & a half-pound cluster of snow crab legs, The Galley has got you covered this holiday season. For reserva tions, call 727-575-7071. $34.95 & up. 27 4th St. N, St. Petersburg. thegalleystpete.com

The House of Grace Inc. This St. Petebased nonprofit hosts an annual Thanksgiving dinner for those that might not have families or turkey funds. Donations and volunteers are always welcome, and folks that would like to help can call 727-888-4777 or email allenway. studio@gmail.com for more information. 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. 1071 62nd Ave. S, St. Petersburg. kenyaallen.com

The Karol Hotel Three words: mashed potato bar. But seriously, potatoes aside, this Clearwater hotel is dishing out a full holiday spread with multiple turkey carving stations, andouille sausage cornbread stuffing, but ternut squash bisque, fried green beans and honey mustard-glazed carrots. A build-yourown pie station finishes the meal off, and the hotel’s tasty waterfront views are free of charge. Noon-7 p.m. $65. 2675 Ulmerton Rd., Clearwater. thekarolhotel.com

Luna Lux This three-course dinner is chock full of fall flavors and holiday favorites, including cranberry-stuffed turkey breast, prime rib, acorn squash salad and stuffed mushrooms. Reservations are required

and can be made by calling (727) 954-2140. $65. 3 p.m-9 p.m. 950 Lake Carillon Dr., St. Petersburg. lunastpete.com

Ocean Hai This upscale Asian fusion restaurant offers a buffet-style traditional Thanksgiving spread that lets you choose your perfect plate. And what’s a hotel restaurant buffet without multiple meat carving stations? 1 p.m.-9 p.m. $55. 100 Coronado Dr, Clearwater Beach. oceanhaiclearwater.com

Rusty Pelican This staple Tampa restaurant offers a four-course brunch or a-la-carte dinner—both chock full of favorites like saltroasted turkey and hearty wild mushroom pasta. But perhaps the star of Rusty Pelican’s Thanksgiving feast is its desserts, like mini pumpkin pies and white chocolate cafe con leche. Reservations can be made on opentable.com. $82. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. 2425 N Rocky Point Dr., Tampa. therustypelicantampa.com

Sea Dog Brewing Co. This waterfront brewpub is offering a buffet full of holiday classics like cornbread casserole, collard greens and mac and cheese, in addition to carve-your-own turkey and prime rib stations. And if you don’t plan on sticking around to sip on craft brews, a take-out box is only $27. Kids under six eat for free, too. $42. noon-7

p.m. 9610 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. seadogbrewing.com

Salt Rock Grill This popular waterfront eatery typically offers a prix-fixe menu of Thanksgiving favorites in addition to its regular offerings of seafood and steaks. Reservations are highly recommended, and can be made by calling 727-593-7625. 19325

Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores. saltrockgrill.com

Sculley’s Seafood Restaurant This beach side family restaurant has a reputation for hosting annual Thanksgiving dinners, and this year is no different. Dishes like apple and sage stuffing, skillet cornbread and stuffed grouper occupy its a-la-carte holiday spread. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 190 Boardwalk Pl. E, Madeira Beach. sculleysrestaurant.com

Yacht Starship This local yacht business had made a name for itself as a unique alternative to the expected, landlocked Thanksgiving feast. In addition to tasty views of Tampa Bay (that will definitely impress your out-of-town relatives), a full feast will be provided by the boat’s executive chef. There are three different yachts that run from noon-7 p.m. on Thanksgiving day. $69.95. 603 Channelside Dr., Tampa. yachtstarship.com

Saint somewhere

19 essential St. Pete dive bars you should know by now.

By Min Craig

When it comes to bars in Tampa Bay there’s no shortage of bartenders in suspenders, themed drinkeries, and influencers hog gin’ patio space for clout, which is why the area’s dive bars hold a special place in our hearts. Though we lost a few good ones recently, St. Pete still boasts iconic dives, and they’re not just dark, dank holes to grab a cold one. Some of the city’s best dives are also some of the premier spots for pool and darts, bar grub, and most importantly, they’re often indispensable for up-and-coming musicians. So, next time you’re out, order a big double of well whiskey and give a warm toast to St. Pete’s dives. Here are a few of our favorites.

The Drunken Clam This bar does not allow smoking indoors, but it does offer a small kitchen that pumps out a lot of food. From Cajun parmesan garlic wings to fresh steamed clams, this is the perfect spot to get boozy and grab a bite. 46 46th Ave., St. Pete Beach, 727-3601800. drunkenclambar.com

DINING GUIDE

Emerald Bar Established in 1950, the Emerald is one of the oldest dive bars in St.Petersburg. Offering bar games, indoor smoking, live music and happy hour, Emerald bar is a casual and cozy spot to grab a drink with friends. 550 Central Ave. N, St. Petersburg

John’s Pass, the joint offers over 100 different types of craft beer, as well as a variety of cocktails such as the Blueberry Lemonade Fizz, featuring “The natural blend of muddled blueberries and fresh lemon juice. Deep Eddy Lemonade Vodka. Lemonade juice and soda water. Topped with Sprite.” 2933 Village Blvd., Madeira Beach, 727258-8973. madpubjohnspass.com

Mahuffer’s Boasting free live music, Mahuffer’s is a seaside spot to grab a drink and enjoy some eclectic decor. The walls at the self-pro claimed “wurst place on the beech” are decorated with everything from underwear to dollar bills. 19201 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores, 727-596-022. mahuffers.business.site

Mastry’s Bar Mastry’s is one of the oldest in St. Pete. This bar offers cheap drinks, live music, and darts. This is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a little hideaway from fancy establishments. 233 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-822-3070, @mastrys.bar.1 on Facebook

Pelican Pub From the owners of Jannus Landing, Pelican Pub is St. Pete’s hub for snacks, darts and through-the-wall beats. That’s right! You can sort-of hear the perfor mances from Jannus through the walls of the pub, making it an excellent spot to stop by if you forgot to buy tickets to your favorite con cert. 18 2nd St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-896-6329. jannuslive.com

Slizzy McGee’s Decked out in flat-screen TV’s, Slizzy McGee’s is a great spot to grab a beer and watch the game. This bar offers spe cial deals such as hospitality night, offering $3 wells, $2 domestic drafts, and 20% off on Tuesdays, and celebrated its five year anniver sary earlier this year. This is a great spot to go to if you’re trying to get slizzy. 1159 62nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg, 727-289-3118

49th Street Pub The perfect place to play pool with friends and enjoy some live music. The website features a calendar of all of the upcoming live music, as well as goings on during the week, such as pool tournaments and karaoke, open mic, and poker. 860 49th St. N, St. Petersburg, 518-410-1159, 49th-street-pub.business

Abbey Road Offering a jukebox, cheap beer, darts, pool, and indoor smoking, Abbey Road is the perfect dive bar for those looking for a spot that’s perfectly rough around the edges. 974 58th St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-343-0304

Bar@548 An open-air bar with plenty of out door seating, Bar@548 draws a young hipster crowd and features a laid-back environment with local art covering the walls inside. 548 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-914-7424, bar548.com

The Bends The Bends gives local musicians a space to thrive, hosting frequent live music tucked away in the back of the bar. This new ish bar (compared the most on this list) is now popular with a second generation of ‘Burg-er bar goers, and is the obsession of a famous bath room instagram @bendsbathroom. 919 1st Ave. N, St. Petersburg, 727-202-8931. @thebendsbar on Facebook

Boardwalk Tavern Offering karaoke and pool, this is a great spot to make some drunken memories. This bar offers live local country music, as well as drink specials throughout the week. The hand-painted sign is a true mark of an authentic dive. 2600 54th Ave. N, St. Petersburg

Dead Bob’s With 13 TVs, Dead Bob’s caters to those hoping to catch up on the latest sporting event, as well as anyone looking to grab a quick bite. If you’re jonesing for a cold one on the way home from St. Pete beach, Dead Bob’s is right there. Don’t miss out on The Big Bob, a menu favorite featuring a 10-oz. Angus beef burger double-stacked with a side of black beans and yellow rice. 6702 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-317-2627. deadbobsstpete.com

MAHUFFER’S/FACEBOOK

Jwags St. Pete Exactly what you’d imagine a hole-in-the-wall would look like. The tiny dive offers strong mixed drinks, but does not have any beers on draft. Make sure to stop by for

One Night Stand A self-described “country and rock bar,” One Night Stand—which proba bly wishes it was a dive more than it actually is one—offers a small bar menu featuring Mexican

Steve’s Tavern This storefront sells ciga rettes at the bar, and offers a jukebox, darts, one pool table, and cheap beer. This little gem is hidden so well that it is the perfect spot if you’re trying not to be found. Don’t forget to stop by for happy hour. 933 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-894-1004

some fun bartivities such as darts and Golden Tee. 2312 4th St. N St. Petersburg, 727-202-7000

Lucky Star Lounge Claiming to serve the “stiffest drinks in the district since 2008,” Lucky Star is an LGTQ+ hole-in-the-wall. This bar features a jukebox, so you can grab a drink while bumping to your own tunes. 2760 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-327-7359

Mad Pub Serving up 63 taps, Mad Pub is the spot to try out a flight of brews. Located in

pizza, mile-high nachos and more. This bar also offers weekly deals for healthcare workers, and weekly events such as hospitality night. 149 1st Ave. N, St. Petersburg, 727-350-5822

Pasadena Bar and Grill Pasadena offers both a lunch and dinner menu, with American favorites such as burgers, hot dogs, and grilled cheese. The Facebook page boasts the “best burg ers in town,” but guests can decide for themselves. 796 Pasadena Ave. S, St. Petersburg, 727-345-3312

Wayward Goose Right around the corner from The Bends, this little spot offers darts, pool, and seasonal menus featuring signature cock tails, such as the Banana Hammock, featuring “cinnamon infused vodka, banana syrup, lime juice” and ginger beer. The walls are decked out in art created by local artists, and art show cases to bring attention to the artists. Stop by for friendly bartenders and cheap beer. 48 Dr. MLK. Jr St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-201-9690

SHORE THING: Mahuffer’s is known for its casual and eclectic decor.

Glizzy gobbler

Gourmet hot dog spot JoDog opens at Sparkman Wharf, and more local foodie news.

By Kyla Fields

As Proper House Group’s sandwich spot Lunch Lady prepares for its Sparkman Wharf debut, another celebrated chef brings his own take on an American classic to the downtown Tampa hotspot. JoDog Craft Hot Dogs—a brand new concept from NYC-based, Michelin-starred Chef Joe Isidori and Millennium Restaurant Group— opened last Thursday with elegant and unique twists on the hot dog.

Far from simple ballpark wieners and Home Depot parking lot carts, this new quick-service concept will dish out “chef-inspired riffs on one of America’s most iconic food items,” according to a press release.Customers can expect globallyinspired glizzies like JoDog’s Carolina Slaw dog, the spicy Mexico City dog, New York City-style chili cheese dog, Joe’s “Famous Kimchee Dog,” and the “Hello Tokyo”—complete with kewpie mayo, furikake and crispy garlic. Its extensive hot dog-forward menu will be paired with waffle and spicy loaded fries, in addition to beverages like beer, sake bombs and signature cocktails.

Isidori received a Michelin star from his culi nary work at the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas (one of many Trump-related concepts he oversaw), and has since opened several loca tions of his restaurant Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer around the world.

JoDog Craft Hot Dogs is Isidori’s second Tampa concept, following the Mexican restau rant he opened at Sparkman Wharf about two years ago. Although Tampa Bay failed to receive any stars when the Michelin Guide came to the Sunshine State a few months ago, there has been a recent influx of high profile, starred chefs helm ing new concepts in the area—including The Tampa Edition’s Chef John Fraser and Tampa Heights’ upcoming Japanese restaurant K ō sen with Chef Wei Chen. For more information on JoDog Craft Hot Dogs, head to its Instagram at @jodogtampa.

Chismis & Co. will host a Filipino kamayan feast in St. Pete next month

For the first time since 2019, owners and chefs of Chismis & Co. will host their all-you-can-eat Filipino kamayan feast—a large family-style meal eaten with your hands.This rendition takes place at downtown St. Pete’s Scott Andrew Fischer Design Studio (stylized as “SAFDS”) on Sunday, Dec. 4 from 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. In addition to a variety of traditional Filipino eats, the event will feature a live DJ, a welcoming cocktail, a cash bar, and a few sweet treats after the meal. What won’t be there are forks and spoons.

“There’s going to be a $200 up-charge for utensils, but if they ask nicely we’ll waive it,” Chef Cruz of Ichicoro and Chismis & Co. tells

Creative Loafing Tampa Bay with a laugh. This kamayan’s $95 ticket can be purchased on event brite.com, and comes with a complimentary cocktail in addition to the all-you-can-eat Pinoy spread. After Thursday, Dec. 1, tickets to this exclusive feast will cost $105 each.

The meal starts with a few cocktails and appetizers, like lumpia, crispy pork bites and a tangy sinigang broth, which acts as a palate cleanser. Main dishes include whole fried snap per, deep fried pork belly or lechon kawali, aromatic braised chicken thighs, and kare-kare, a peanutbased curry with tender short ribs. These main proteins will be joined by a wide spread of sides like roasted squash, garlic rice, braided green beans, savory egg plant frittata and salted duck eggs (not balut). The feast will be accompanied by a variety of sauces and condiments as well, in addition to a

Modern Chinese restaurant Blackbrick is now open in Tampa

After months of waiting to find out what concept would replace the old Pop N’ Sons diner, modern Chinese restaurant Blackbrick is finally open at 4812 N Dale Mabry Hwy. The Raymond James Stadium-adjacent restaurant was originally slated to open on Tuesday, Oct. 25, but hurricane Ian delayed its debut until Tuesday, Nov. 15.

FOOD NEWS

There are several categories on Blackbrick’s menu, which range from noodle dishes to soup dumplings, chilled and hot appetizers, wok fried rice, dim sum dumplings, large cuts and plant based—which include vegan dishes like Yu Xiang eggplant and Sichuan cauliflower. And for those who prefer a fork and knife over chopsticks, there’s even a sec tion with Americanized classics like General Tso’s alligator, crispy honey chicken and sweet

and will feature a one-of-a-kind 3D printed cof fee bar from Palm City company Printed Patio. The cafe and brunch spot is known for its variety of espresso drinks and matcha lattes, in addi tion to a small menu of burritos, loaded toasts, yogurt bowls, breakfast sandwiches, pizzas, and of course, flatbreads.

There’s also a small retail section that fea tures locally-roasted beans from Bandit Coffee Co., in addition to a variety of natural wines. According to the cafe’s Facebook, owner Jesse Muire signed Flatbread’s Tampa lease some time in 2020 and had originally slated to open by the beginning of this year. “Very humbled & stoked to have an opportunity to take this shop St. Pete has supported & allowed to grow/learn over the bridge,” the post reads. Flatbread and Butter first debuted in downtown St. Pete in early 2019 with a mission of being communityfocused and providing high quality coffee to its neighborhood.

The cafe and kitchen is known for its sev eral weeknight specials, including Wednesday’s industry night, Thursday’s “date night” deal, and a Monday-Friday happy hour with discounted beer, wine, garlic knots and pizza. For the lat est news on the cafe’s second location, head to its Instagram at @flatbreadandbutter.

Bin 6 South, a small tasting bar and wine cellar, is now open in downtown St. Pete

Located inside of a former house at 330 6th St. S is St. Pete’s newest (and perhaps smallest) eatery and wine cellar. The intimate tasting bar and wine cellar Bin 6 South soft opened in downtown St. Pete last week. The roughly 330 square-foot space offers one six-person table, a six-person tasting bar and an intimate, seasonal menu and wine cellar to match.

few desserts like puto and biko—two traditional Filipino sweets.

And although there are a few plant-based items scattered throughout the feast, this prob ably isn’t a meal for all of the true vegans out there. For more details on the kamayan menu, head to chismisandco.com.While it hasn’t hosted this feast in a few years, the same group of ram bunctious chefs—Noel Cruz, Ron Vicencio, Ruby Mahal and Phil Ruperto—is back to prepare this intimate and immersive dining experience. Next month’s kamayan will also be in honor of the late Chef Branden Lenz. For more information, head to @chismisandco on Instagram.

and sour pork. For more information, head to halesblackbrick.com or follow @halesblackbrick on Instagram.

Flatbread and Butter’s second cafe will open in downtown Tampa next year

Tampeños will soon get a taste of a down town St. Pete favorite.The Tampa Bay Times reported that Flatbread and Butter’s second cafe will soon open on the bottom of the Ave Tampa Riverwalk apartments, right across from downtown Tampa’s Riverwalk & Straz Center.

Located at 160 W Tyler St., Flatbread and Butter’s new cafe is slated to open by early 2023,

A quick scroll through Bin 6 South’s gallery shows extravagant and colorful small plates from chefs Freddie Gentile and David Canady, who both have experience working in Michelinstarred restaurants. Its rotating, seasonal menu will change often, always complimenting its exclusive selection of wine and sake. Food prices are not listed on its website, but entrees like braised chicken ravioli with basil and fennel brulee and white wine sauce range from $2527, while sandwiches cost about $13 each. While wine and sake offerings are vast at St. Pete’s Bin 6 South, the average glass can cost anywhere from $10-$19 each.

During the soft opening phase, soups, salads and snack boards will be available throughout the day, with Bin 6 South featuring two sand wich options for lunch and two different entrees

C/O JODOG CRAFT HOT DOGS

HOT DOG: Newly-opened JoDog slings chef-inspired meat sticks in downtown Tampa.

continued from page 33 for dinner. Wine director Danielle McCoy tells CL that Bin 6 will eventually offer an exclusive chef tasting menu with wine pairings on the weekend, with its regular menu available on weekdays (and during lunchtime on Saturdays). McCoy also says that all St. Pete residents will receive 10% off their to-go bottles of wine, as long as you sign up for the Bin 6 South email list.

The restaurant says that it has sourced everything from its produce to its tables locally. St. Pete farm Greens n’ Things helps supply its specialty produce, local potter Carlee Pecen has handcrafted all of its plates, bowls, ramekins, and Gulfport woodworker David Bradford made its custom wood table and tasting bar. According to St. Pete Rising, Bin 6 South is the brainchild of Executive Chef and owner Bren K. Ankrum and his wife—local phy sician Donna Hargrove—who both have extensive experience in the food and drink industry. “I invite you to explore the wine cellar at Bin 6 South and discover the wines and culinary creations our team has chosen for presentation,” he writes on the Bin 6 South website. The restaurant is open out of a newly-renovated, hundred-year old house that the two own together.

Seating at this intimate restaurant’s tasting bar is first come first serve from 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. During lunch hours—which are 11:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. those same days— its common table is also first come first serve. But after 3:30 p.m., reservations for its six-person com mon table are required. Bin 6 South’s retail side, where bottles of wine or sake can be purchased,

is open from 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Although there aren’t any social media pages for this restaurant just yet, head to bin6south.com to make reservations and find more information about this newly-opened dining concept and wine cellar.

Holiday pop-up bars ‘Miracle’ and ‘Sippin Santa’ coming to St. Pete and Dunedin

Tis the season for holiday-themed pop-up bars, and Tampa Bay has a few of them starting at the end of the month. Miracle Cocktails, a com pany that focuses on Christmas-themed pop-ups in bars all over the world, recently announced plans to host two events in Pinellas.

According to a press release, “Miracle at Mezzo” is coming to Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails, located at 1111 Central Ave. begin ning Friday, Nov 25. The bar will also host its annual ugly sweater party on Saturday, Dec. 4. The event features themed cocktail bars, and will also transform the bar into a “holiday oasis with over the top kitschy, festive décor.” Some of the drinks include a “Christmapolitan,” a “Christmas Carol Barrel,” and a “Jingle Balls Nog.” The St. Pete pop-up runs until New Year’s Eve.

Over in Dunedin, the “Sippin’ Santa” holi day pop-up is headed to The Honu Restaurant and Tiki Bar, located at 516 Grant St., from Wednesday, Nov. 23-New Year’s Eve. This event will feature signature cocktails with festive names like “Island of Misfit Toys” and “Rudolph’s Rum Rhapsody,” as well as holiday food items and an ugly Christmas sweater party on Dec. 3.—Min Craig

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BIG STORM BREWING CO. Multiple loca tions, bigstormbrewery.com

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

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

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

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

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

BULLFROG CREEK BREWING CO. 3632 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Valrico. 813-703-8835, bull frogcreekbrewing.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ESCAPE BREWING CO. 9945 Trinity Blvd., Suite 108, Trinity. 727-807-6092, escape brewingcompany.com

FLORIDA AVENUE BREWING CO. 2029 Arrowgrass Dr., Wesley Chapel. 813-452-6333, flori daavebrewing.com

FLORIDA BREWERY 202 Gandy Rd., Auburndale. 863-965-1825

FOUR STACKS BREWING 5469 N. US HWY 41, Apollo Beach. 813-641-2036, fourstacks brewing.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MARKER 48 12147 Cortez Blvd, Weeki Wachee. 352-606-2509, marker48.com

MASTRY’S BREWING CO. 7701 Blind Pass Rd., St. Pete Beach. 727-202-8045, mastrys brewingco.com

MOTORWORKS

BREWING 1014 9th Street West, Bradenton. 941-567-6218, motor worksbrewing.com

MR. DUNDERBAK’S 14929 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa. 813-9774104, dunderbaks.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RAPP BREWING COMPANY 10930 Endeavor Way, Seminole. 727-544-1752, rappbrewing.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TAP THIS! BAR AND BREWING CO. 10730 US-19, Port Richey. 727-378-4358, tapthisbar.com

TBBC 1600 E 8th Ave., Ybor City/13933

Monroe’s Business Park, Westchase. 813-2471422, tbbc.beer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ON VIEW THROUGH MARCH 26

Claude Monet, Nympheas, c. 1897–1898, Oil on canvas, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Mrs. Fred Hathaway Bixby Bequest, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA

This exhibition was organized by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Sleigh-in’ it

Tampa Bay’s best holiday events.

By Chelsea Zukowski

The Tampa Bay area may never have a white Christmas, but what we do have is a mas sive holiday light maze filling up our indoor baseball field during the off-season. Enchant, dubbed the world’s largest holiday-themed light event, returns the day after Thanksgiving at Tropicana Field in downtown St. Petersburg. Now in its third year in St. Pete, Enchant boasts more than 4 million lights around its 10-acre maze, ice skating trail, local vendor market and food hall. There is also live entertainment, visits with Santa Claus and other family-friendly experiences. All of this surrounds a massive, 100-foot-tall lighted Christmas tree in the center of Tropicana Field.

welcome before,” Enchant Christmas founder and CEO Kevin Johnston said in a release. “This year we return with even more lights and a whole new story and elements to our featured light maze to dazzle returning guests and intro duce new friends and their families to the magic that is Enchant.”

HOLIDAY GUIDE

New to this year’s event is a national sponsor, the Hallmark Channel. The television net work known for its cheesy-cute holiday movies will feature at Enchant events with a “Hallmark Cozy Christmas” lounge, photo spots, a wine tasting and a chance for guests to win a visit to the set of a Hallmark movie in production.

Timepiece.” Guests are invited to help find all the broken pieces of Santa’s Timepiece so he can put it back together in time to deliver presents around the world in just one night.

Before you enter the maze, you’ll get a Passport to guide you to the missing pieces as well as dozens of different holiday light displays that help tell this new story. When you’ve com pleted the Passport, drop it off for a small treat and a chance to win the Hallmark Channel sweepstakes.

“There will still be the same look and feel to the overall event, but the maze light sculptures are all new! From the massive 100-foot tree in the center, to our cherry blossom forest, to the searchable timepiece items, all of our feature items on the field are different from last year,” an Enchant spokesperson said in an email to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “This year there will be more immersive and interactive elements than ever before, more colors, more movement, and more kinetic light sculptures.”

cups. You can fill those sippers with the festive Holiday Spirit cocktail (for adults) or the nonalcoholic Merry Mocktail. Find these and other specialty food and drinks at the Tipsy Tree Tavern and the Merry Lodge, as well as pop-up locations within the maze.

Also back this year is the blackout curtain— a 450,000-square-foot curtain that weighs over 39,000 pounds and blocks out the natural light coming in through the Tropicana Field roof. Enchant said St. Pete is the only indoor venue for the event, and last year worked with the Rays to make the holiday light experience feel like a nighttime winter wonderland no matter what time of day it was. This year, organizers said the blackout curtain will also feature 50-foot strands of colored lights that twinkle and dance in unison for even more of a show.

“We can’t wait to come back to St. Pete where we’ve had such an overwhelmingly warm

As for the scavenger hunt-themed light maze, this year’s story is called “Santa’s Magic

Returning favorites to the St. Pete event include the popular holiday light bulb cocktail

Enchant Christmas kicks off on Nov. 25 and runs through Jan. 1 at Tropicana Field. Tickets start at $35 for adults and $20 for children. Ice skating is purchased separately for $18 per per son. VIP passes and tours are also available.

Enchant St. Pete takes over the Trop.

PLAYBOOK PUBLIC RELATIONS

Enchant also has Kids Free Wednesdays on Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and 14, which means one gen eral admission child’s ticket with each paid adult ticket.

Tickets are time for a one hour arrival win dow, but once you’re inside, you can stay until closing time. Find more information about Enchant St. Petersburg and buy tickets at enchantchristmas.com.

Locash and Lightning party guy Pat Maroon will headline Tampa’s onBikes charity ‘Ho Ho Hoedown’

Who needs a partridge in a pear tree when you’ve got party boy Pat Maroon? The threetime Stanley Cup champ (aka “Big Rig”) is the emcee for onBikes’ annual holiday Winter Wonder Ride and fundraiser, which is being dubbed the “Ho Ho Hoedown” thanks in part to musical headliner, country duo Locash (styl ized “LOCASH”).

For the uninitiated, Maroon, is the Tampa Bay Lightning’s resident Florida man, and really the only guy you want to hand the mic to at a

party. Locash, fresh off a single “Beach Boys” with Mike Love & Bruce Johnston are no strang ers to the area, having played NHL playoff parties at nearby Sparkman Wharf.

The event at The Curt starts at 2 p.m., while the costumes-encouraged ride through down town and up and down Bayshore Boulevard kicks off at 4 p.m. Tickets to onBikes’ 11th annual Winter Wonder Ride happening Saturday, Dec. 10 at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in down town Tampa are on sale now and start at $55. Money raised helps the non profit onBikes purchase and power volunteer builds that provide hundreds of bikes for at-risk and foster kids.

will celebrate the holidays by bringing back last year’s hit musical comedy, “The Night Before.” Now full of new jokes and songs, the comedy about a snowy Florida holiday will play on select nights from Nov. 25-Dec. 24 at freeFall Theatre in St. Pete. Tickets for the family-friendly show start at $25 and are on sale now.

The play first went on shortly after musi cal theater icon Stephen Sondheim passed last November. While the production was always meant to pay tribute to Sondheim, it became a love letter to the composer dur ing its run.

HOLIDAY GUIDE

A bike valet is included—and don’t worry about drinking and riding because you have until 11 a.m. the next day to pick up your bike.—

Ray Roa

freeFall Theatre’s hit comedy ‘The Night Before’ comes back to St. Pete with new jokes and songs

This November and December, freeFall Theatre

Written by Matthew McGee and Michael Raabe, “The Night Before” features returning cast members Raabe, Sara DelBeato and Hillary Lewis, as well as the new edition Robert Spence Gabriel. The performers play a group of friends together for a heartwarming holiday night.

Chloe Greenberg

See more holiday things to do below, and even more via cltampa.com. A listing of a places to see holiday lights is on p. 44.

Christmas in the Wild Select nights Nov. 25-Dec. 30. Free for members, $29.95 gen eral admission. ZooTampa, 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa. zootampa.org

King State Presents: Emery Christmas Dec. 2. 7 p.m.-9 p.m. $40. The Brutalist, 1776 11th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. emerymusic.com

OrnaMENTAL art show Dec. 3. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. All The Things St. Pete, 4116 8th Ave. S, St. Petersburg. allthethingsstpete.com

Happy Hollydaze Holly Fest Dec. 3. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $25. Treasure Island Community Center, 1 Park Pl., Treasure Island.mytreasu reisland.org

A Very Magnetic Christmas with Morgan James Dec. 4. 4 p.m. $19.50 & up. Central Park Performing Arts Center, 105 Central Park Dr., Largo. largoarts.com

Tampa City Ballet’s The Nutcracker Dec. 4. 4 p.m. USF Theatre 1, 3839 USF Holly Dr., Tampa. tampacityballet.org

“Still... No Room in the Inn” Caroling Dec. 9. 7 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Church, 100 Mirror Lake Dr. N, St. Petersburg. celebrateoutreach.org

GIMME SOME MYRRH: freeFall’s popular holiday play is back with new jokes and more.

JOSEPH MICHAEL KENNETH

A Drummer Boy Christmas Dec. 9. 7 p.m. $24.99 & up. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr, Tampa. amaliearena.com

Christmas Delivered! From New York With Gifts Dec. 10. 7 p.m. $68.75 & up. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N Macinnes Pl, Tampa. Strazcenter.org

Santa’s Holiday Revue Dec. 10. 11 a.m. $8.50. Central Park Performing Arts Center, 105 Central Park Dr, Largo. largoarts.com

7th annual Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl Dec. 10. 5 p.m.-11 p.m. $17.99.Thirsty First, 119 1st Ave. N, St. Petersburg. eventbrite.com

Clara’s New York City Christmas Dec. 10. 7 p.m. $35. Palladium Theater, 253 5th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. mypalladium.org

Christmas In Cracker Country Dec. 10. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $10-$12. Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 US-301, Tampa. cracker country.org

Chase the Dreidel 5K Dec. 11, 4 p.m.-7 p.m. $36. Congregation B’nai Israel, 300 58th St. N, St. Petersburg. runsignup.com

Countess Luann: Christmas with the Countess Dec. 11. 8 p.m. Hard Rock Event Center, 5223 Orient Rd., Tampa. seminole hardrocktampa.com

Christmas with the King Dec. 14, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. $24.50-44.50. Central Park Performing Arts Center, 105 Central Park Dr, Largo. largoarts.com

Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland Dec.

15. 7 p.m. $25. Yuengling Center, 12499 USF Bull Run Dr., Tampa. yuenglingcenter.com

Jewish Heritage Night with the Tampa Bay Lightning Dec. 15. 6:15 p.m. $38. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr, Tampa. jew ishtampa.com

933.3-FLZ Jingle Ball: Backstreet Boys w/Black Eyed Peas/Big Time Rush/more Dec. 16, 7 p.m. $41 & up. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr, Tampa. 933flz.iheart.com

Dance Theatre of Tampa presents The Nutcracker Dec. 17, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. Dec. 18, 2 p.m. $15-$32. USF Theatre I, 3839 USF Holly Dr., Tampa. newtampadancetheatre.com

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve Dec. 18, 7 p.m. $29 & up. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr, Tampa. amaliearena.com

Dunedin Holiday Concert Dec. 18. $15. Dunedin Community Center,1920 Pinehurst Rd., Dunedin. dunedingov.com

8 Crazy Nights of Hanukkah Dec. 18-Dec. 26. 5 p.m.-10 p.m. The Wheelhouse, 7220 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. thewheel housestpete.com

Chanukah In The City Dec. 18. 5:30 p.m. South Straub Park, 198 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. chabadsp.com

Kol Ami’s Chanukah Party Dec. 21. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Congregation Kol Ami, 3919 Moran Rd., Tampa. jewishtampa.com

Brokenmold Entertainments Annual Holiday Party Dec. 23. 8 p.m. Hooch and Hive, 1001 W Cass St. Tampa. brokenmolden tertainment.com

LATKE FUN: Hanukkah’s better because it’s eight nights long.

Get lit

The best ways to see Christmas lights in Tampa Bay.

By Min Craig

The holidays are upon us, which means it won’t be cold, but there will be millions of twin kly lights, and Tampa Bay has some good ones. Since not all displays are equal, here are a few of the better spots to get into the holiday spirit this season.

12 Days of Christmas Clearwater Beach kicks off a multitude of events beginning Dec. 1 with a Christmas tree lighting, followed by the Making Spirits Bright parade on Dec. 13, Holiday Movies in the Park on Dec. 16, Market, Music, & Mimosas on Dec. Dec 17, and the Paw-Rade on Dec. 18, where guests can bring their pets to win prizes and visit pet-friendly vendors. Clearwater Beach. Dec. 1-Dec. 25. 12daysofchristmasclearwater.com

Boca Ciega Yacht Club Christmas Boat Parade The parade starts at Gulfport Municipal Marina and continues throughout Gulfport. Boat skippers are required to donate two unwrapped toys to Operation Santa, Gulfport’s annual toy drive in order to participate. Boca Ciega Yacht Club, 4600 Tifton Dr. S., Gulfport. Dec. 17. 6 p.m. sailbcyc.org

Celebration of Lights at The Concourse This event is only occurring on select dates throughout November and December, so be sure to check the website for details. Featuring a walkthrough Christmas light display and a chance to meet Santa in the North Pole, Celebration of Lights also has a $3 train ride running from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. 11919 Alric Pottberg Rd., Shady Hills. Nov. 25-Dec. 23. celebrationoflightsfl.org

Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa Featuring themed light shows, a Christmas improv show, Christmas carolers, exotic wild life and more, ZooTampa is hosting a Christmas in the Wild on select dates, so be sure to check the website to see the calendar. Members and Pay-for-a-Day ticket holders enter for free, and general admission tickets cost $29.95 starting after 4 p.m. 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa/ Nov. 25-Dec. 30. zootampa.org

Chick-Fil-A’s light display Chick-Fil-A’s light display returns, marking over two decades of festive cheer at this fast food chicken stop. Be sure to check out the lights as you snack on some waffle fries, and don’t miss your chance to see Santa on Fridays beginning Nov. 25. 6299 W Waters Ave.,Tampa. Nov. 18-Dec. 31. @cfawaters on Facebook Christmas Town at Busch Gardens

Tampa Bay Busch Gardens’ annual holiday celebration features holiday light shows, fire works, a train, up-close animal encounters, food options and a chance to meet Santa in his workshop, as well as a photo-op with Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer. Entry is included with

park admission. 10165 McKinley Dr., Tampa. Through Jan. 9. buschgardens.com

Enchant Christmas at Tropicana Field Tropicana Field is yet again hosting Enchant, featuring a Christmas light maze, ice skating, and a market with holiday treats and drinks. Don’t miss your chance to meet Santa! Tickets start at $20 for children and $35 for adults. 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg. Nov. 25-Jan. 1. $20-$35. enchantchristmas.com

Festival of Lights and Santa’s Village at Hillsborough County Fairgrounds A nearly two-mile long continuous drive through holiday lights, followed by Santa’s village at the end, plus rides, an inflatable snow tube, festive lights and holiday treats, as well as live music on select nights. Cost is $20 per car for just the drivethru, and $25 per car when the village is open.

Davis Islands, traveling through the Convention Center basin and the Heights, and turning around at Sparkman Wharf, this parade fea tures registered boaters who are competing for first, second and third place trophies for their holiday-themed vessels. Downtown Tampa. Dec. 17, 6 p.m. thetampariverwalk.com

Holiday Lights in The Gardens Florida Botanical Gardens is now on its 22nd annual hol iday lights event, featuring one million lights, as well as a model train show hosted by The Train Guy during opening weekend. Suggested dona tion for admission is $10, and free for children 13 and under. 12520 Ulmerton Rd., Largo. Nov. 25-Jan. 1. flbgfoundation.org

HOLIDAY GUIDE

Indian Trails Hot Cocoa and Holiday Lights Fundraiser BOTB-winning Local ABC Action News weath erman, Denis Phillips, alongside his wife Robyn and their six children, ranging from ages 7-28, sell popcorn and hot chocolate to raise money for charity. Phillips and his neighbors decorate the neighborhood with festive lights and decorations for the holidays. Indian Trails, Palm Harbor. @ denisphillipswx on Twitter

carnival rides. Make sure to check out the talk ing and dancing life-sized snowman, and the tightrope balancing bear. 2719 Oakdale St. S, St. Petersburg. Nov. 25-Jan. 3. christmasdisplay.org

Old Fashioned Christmas and Holiday Parade Downtown Dunedin’s parade featuring decorated floats, bands, performers, and Santa himself! After the parade, Dunedin goes back in time, and will feature snow, activities, entertain ment, and even horse-drawn carriages. There will be mini train rides, Christmas caroling, games, crafts, an opportunity to roast marsh mallows and make your own smores, and more. Douglas Avenue and Main Street, Dunedin. Dec. 10. 4 p.m.-9 p.m. dunedingov.com

Pirate Water Taxi River of Lights The water taxi will be cruising around providing views of holiday decorations along the water in downtown Tampa. There will be holiday dis plays, sing-a-longs, cookies and hot chocolate and a snow flurry finale. Children will receive a holiday gift during the ride. 333 S Franklin St., Tampa. $25+$30. Nov. 25-Dec. 24. pirate watertaxi.com

Redington Beach and Indian Shores Holiday Lighted Boat Parade Redington Beach and Indian Shores team up for this year’s Holiday Lighted Boat Parade. Be sure to check out the website for updates as they come out. The time for the event is currently TBA. Redington Beach. Dec. 18. townofredingtonbeach.com

Symphony in Lights Featuring a lightshow that dances to the musings of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Symphony in Lights is a festive fam ily-friendly holiday event with food and drink plus Christmas trees and snowfall. The event runs from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Wiregrass Mall, 28211 Paseo Dr., Wesley Chapel. Nov. 12-Dec. 31. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. theshopsatwiregrass.com

Tarpon Springs Christmas Parade From 10 a.m.-noon, Tarpon Springs is hosting a Christmas parade that will travel throughout downtown, featuring crafts, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa around 11:30 a.m. Downtown Tarpon Springs. Dec. 10, 10 a.m.-noon. sponged ocks.net

215 Sydney Washer Rd., Dover. Nov. 24-Jan. 1. hillsboroughcountyfair.com

Hillsborough River Holiday Boat Parade This free parade runs from 5 p.m.-6 p.m., starting at Lowry Park and ending at Sulphur Springs. The parade features decorated boats, and riverside residents are encouraged to decorate their docks, as well to participate in the festivities. 1204 W Flora St., Tampa. Dec. 11. @phil.compton2 on Facebook

Holiday Lighted Boat Parade at Tampa Riverwalk Beginning at the southern tip of

Largo Central Park Admission to the 70-acre park, featuring over two million lights, is free, but rides will cost you. Rides are $6 a piece, or $20 for four rides, which includes a seven story ferris wheel, as well as a carousel. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, as well. 101 Central Park Dr., Largo. Nov. 24-Jan. 1. largo.com

Oakdale Christmas Light Display This free event features a half-acre Christmas light display, as well as a 70-foot Christmas tree. There will also be a 18 train HO scale railroad with 16

City of Treasure Island Holiday Lighted Boat Parade For the 37th year in a row the Holiday Lighted Boat Parade returns to Treasure Island. The parade features a variety of decorated boats as well as a DJ, a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, entertainers, and food and drink options. 10315 Paradise Blvd., Treasure Island. Dec. 17, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. @cityoftreasureis land on Facebook

Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park Featuring light displays, ice skating, curling and a pop-up market, tickets to Winter Village are free for entry, and ice skating will cost $17 per ice skater for all ages. The Winter Village Express, a tram ride featuring sing along songs and trivia will cost $10 for persons two years and older. 600 N Ashley Dr., Tampa. Nov. 18-Jan. 4. wintervillagetampa.com

WILD FOR THE NIGHT: Daylight savings time means you can still get the kids to bed early after ZooTampa’s celebration.

THU 24

Tom G & Friends Last weekend, oldschool Tampa rapper Tom G gave away a literal truckload of turkeys during his “Peace in the Street” event at Middleton High School. A few days later, he wants you to shake off your tryptophan hangover and go out on Thanksgiving night for the eighth edition of his Kushgiving party, once again happening in Ybor City where support comes from fellow rappers TrappedOut Kimbo, Tria G and more. (Club Skye, Ybor City)

FRI 25

Acme Jazz Garage It’s hard to imagine eating anything other than leftovers on the day after Thanksgiving, but not everyone’s family knows how to cook a turkey. If you need a palate cleanser, Acme Jazz Garage plays a free show in Seminole Heights where it’ll pair Southern fare with the sounds of jazz, blues, funk and latin music. (Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe, Tampa)

DJ Paul The Ritz in Ybor City has a lot to be thankful for this year (last week, an arson ist who’d already wreaked havoc across the Bay area made a visit there, but not before he was stopped in his tracks). While he

wasn’t supposed to soundtrack a celebration over averting disaster, Three 6 Mafia’s DJ Paul will help the venue and its Mischief Monday faithful sip on some sizzurp with a hospitality-industry night set. If you need to pop your collar sooner than that, then join the 45-year-old in Pinellas on Friday where he plays Dunedin Brewery’s new Moontower space as part of a set that’ll actually see Paul rapping Three 6 Mafia’s biggest hits. (The Moontower, Dunedin)

Have Gun, Will Travel w/Jeff Brawer/ Dave Decker There aren’t very many better places in Tampa Heights to both earn and work off a hangover than Shuffle. To soundtrack the effort, Bay area Americana royalty Have Gun, Will Travel headlines a nighttime show where it’ll get support from local troubadour Jeff Brawer and Big Sad frontman Dave Decker (who’s also a Creative Loafing Tampa Bay photographer). Yes, you must pay a cover to hear and see the music. (Shuffle, Tampa)

Hip-Hop Explored: DJ Dfaz w/Kay Three/ Alec Burnright CLP/Sir.Perf!/Sintell Terry Healthy Phoenix has quickly established itself as a tastemaker in the local scene, and on Thursday the promoter sets its sights on the Tampa rap scene by welcoming a handful of emcees to Ybor City for a postTurkey Day show. (Crowbar, Ybor City)

I Prevail w/Pierce The Veil/Fit For A King/Yours Truly Vegas’ When We Were Young festival proved that there are more emo and alternative music bands from our

middle and high school glory days still going than we may think. Surprisingly, Pierce The Veil was among those listed, and though it’s been a rough few years for the band, the remaining members of the now-Mike Fuentes-free outfit might be preparing to release its fifth album sometime soon, with the recent release of the “Pass The Nirvana” single. You’ll probably get to hear that and more when Pierce The Veil co-headlines with I Prevail. It’s like Warped Tour all over again, just rescheduled thanks to Hurricane Ian. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)

Vagabond Tweed w/The Kyle Shaw Band/Al Torchia & The Tattered

Saints Once you’re done risking your life at Target on Black Friday, local Americana quartet Vagabond Tweed will celebrate the release of a new EP, Reny. As promised, the group’s sound is heavily influenced by 1970s cult favorites, with a little bit of Wallflowers in there, too. The Kyle Shaw Band—currently in the process of recording its debut album for 2023—and Al Torchia & The Tattered Saints, heavily inspired by Bruce Springsteen, open. (Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa)

Hip Abduction A Seafarer and the Infinite Dream , the latest album from St. Pete’s very own The Hip Abduction, tackles topics such as giving

By Josh Bradley & Ray Roa C CL Recommends

this weekend for the first time since a New Year’s Eve 2018 gig with Passafire, and we’re still keeping our fingers crossed that the band will play a fourth GMF gig in 2023. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)

Brown

Thanksgiving is when old friends come back in town, and it’s awfully nice of Mark Etherington to bring his guitar whenever he does. The St. Pete expat and former drum mer for post-rock favorite Set and Setting plays under his Mountain Holler moniker for this one, and arrives at Floridian to play another set of ethereal, cosmic folk driven by Etherington’s godly, almost Neil Youngesque vocal. He’s backed by an ace band that includes drummer Roger Lanfranchi Thomas, and supported by a bill that includes a lot of local homies including rock and roll duos Swimm and Oxford Noland, plus song writer J.T. Brown. (Floridian Social Club, St. Petersburg)

Patterson Hood Based on the terror in Patterson Hood’s heart when he spoke to CL right after Donald Trump was elected in 2016, we’re pretty sure he feels the same way for Florida following Big Baby Ron’s landslide victory. On the other hand, the Portlandbased Drive-By Truckers co-founder kicks

off a solo venture during a two-night stint in Cigar City. He’ll perform songs from his band, and one or two from its latest record, Welcome 2 Club XIII , so don’t show up dead, drunk, or naked. (The Attic at Rock Brothers Brewing, Ybor City)

SUN 27

Allman

A lot of us didn’t know that the Allman Betts Band was going on hiatus following its rollicking GMF gig earlier this year. Don’t worry, Devon Allman and Duane Betts don’t hate each other or anything. They just wanted to focus on their own respective solo projects, and continuing to establish themselves as artists that aren’t just known as Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts’ offspring. But one thing that brings the boys together every year is the Allman Family Revival, originally a one-night-only celebration of Gregg’s 70th birthday in 2017, a few months after he died. Drummer Alex Orbison (yes, Roy’s son), bluesman Larry McCray, and Americana duo River Kittens will all be present at this celebration of one of the greatest bands outta the South. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)

TUE 29

Lindsey Stirling When you’re Lindsey Stirling, naming violins is a lifestyle, not a cheesy gimmick. The 36-year-old virtuoso, owner of Pickles, Anastasia, and David Bowie (no, really), released Snow Waltz last month, marking her second holiday album. Before COVID-19 hit, a gig from Stirling was practically an annual affair, so this one is bound to be a happy reminder of three years ago, before shit got scary—and touring got really, really expensive. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)

THU 01

Moonchild L.A.-based alternative trio Moonchild’s latest album Starfruit is loaded with special guests and collaborators, from ‘90s soul singer Lalah Hathaway to Grammy nominee Rapsody. The two won’t be pres ent on Moonchild’s run of shows promoting the album, but the “Change Your Mind” band’s Tampa Bay debut is a two-night stint in St. Pete. (Floridian Social Club, St. Petersburg)

Slothrust Orpheum’s new location has an outdoor stage that is quickly becoming a

rite of passage for bands as they make their ascent from intimate club shows to larger venues like Jannus Live and even Yuengling Center. Leah Wellbaum was made for big moments, and it’ll be a treat to see her grab the reins for Slothrust’s kickoff of a tour sup porting its latest album, Parallel Timeline

The outing is the Boston rock band’s first since the pandemic and finds the outfit moving away from guitar soundscapes and using the instrument more like another voice in its grungy, attacking style of hard rock. (Orpheum, Tampa)

Tab Benoit and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Last year, bluesman Benoit defied all odds and performed for 296 socially distanced fans at Jannus Live. And when vaccines became available and COVID19 restrictions calmed down, he returned twice more to more full audiences. Then, in January of this year, we saw the 55-year-old bayou boy behind “These Arms of Mine” take on another Jannus gig. It’s hard to get sick of ol’ Tab, and it’s remarkable to think that there are probably at least a few people who will have seen him live five times over the course of almost two years by the time this show at the Tampa Theatre with The Dirty Dozen Brass Band ends. In short, noth ing takes the place of him. (Tampa Theatre, Tampa)

Mountain Holler & the New Dawn w/Swimm/Oxford Noland/J.T.

Family Revival: The Devon Allman Project w/Duane Betts/Donavon Frankenreiter/Maggie Rose/Larry McCray/Jimmy Hall/Alex Orbison/more

Slothrust

Americana legend Neko Case has dates with Florida set for her upcoming 2023 tour, and her next run through Tampa Bay finds her onstage at a historic theater this winter.

Tickets to see Neko Case play the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre in downtown Clearwater on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. are on sale now and start at $40.50.

Case—who last played the Bay area in 2019—will be featuring songs from her latest album, Hell-On , which she says represents her ‘best self.’” Do expect the 52-year-old, Grammy-nominated songwriter to look back on her storied career, in the wake of a new retrospective, Wild Creatures , released early this year.a

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

Gracie Grieshop (opening for Banshee Tree) Wednesday, Dec. 7. 7 p.m. $10. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

Selwyn Birchwood and Damon Fowler Wednesday, Dec. 7. 7:30 p.m. $25-$35. Side Door Cabaret at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg

Malachi Gagnon w/TBA Sunday, Dec. 18. 6 p.m. $10. Crowbar, Ybor City

Physical Plant w/Blonde Gentlemen Friday, Dec. 30. 8 p.m. $10. Hooch and Hive, Tampa

Barry Manilow Saturday, Jan. 14. 7 p.m. $15.75 & up. Amalie Arena, Tampa

Palomino Blond w/Smelter Saturday, Jan. 14. 8 p.m. $12. Hooch and Hive, Tampa

Sarah Shook & the Disarmers w/ Mightmare/TBA Friday, Jan. 20. 8 p.m. $20. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

Landon Wordswell Sunday, Jan. 22. 7 p.m. $10. Hooch and Hive, Tampa

Tedeschi Trucks Band Wednesday, Jan. 25. 8 p.m. $53.25 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Artikal Sound System w/The Resolver/ Bikini Trill/Sierra Lane Saturday, Jan. 28. 5:30 p.m. $18. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Big Gigantic Friday, Feb. 3. 8 p.m. $34.50. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Homeboy Sandman w/E-Turn/Jon Ditty Friday, Feb. 3. 8 p.m. $15/. Hooch and Hive, Tampa

John McEuen and The Circle Band Monday, Feb. 6. 7 p.m. $37. McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre and Humor Institute, Sarasota

Strfkr Wednesday, Feb. 8. 8 p.m. $22.50. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Gideon w/For The Fallen Dreams/ Orthodox/Guerrilla Warfare Thursday, Feb. 9. 5:30 p.m. $20. Orpheum, Tampa

GreyMarket w/Idle Moves/Bangarang Friday, Feb. 10. 8:30 p.m. $10. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

Of The Trees Saturday, Feb. 11. 7 p.m. $30$35. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Riverside w/The Cyberjam Duo Friday, Feb. 17. 7 p.m. $27.50. Orpheum, Tampa

Deep Purple w/The Marshall Tucker Band Monday, Feb. 20. 8 p.m. $63 & up. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg

KC and The Sunshine Band Thursday, Feb. 23. 8 p.m. $65 & up. Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa

Lyle Lovett with His Acoustic Group Tuesday-Wednesday, Feb. 28-March 1. 7:30 p.m. $69.50-$99.50. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Doo Wop Reunion: Kenny Vance And The Planotones/Lou Christie/Jay Siegel’s Tokens/Joey Dee Saturday, March 4. 7:30 p.m. $49-$125. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Dropkick Murphys w/The Rumjacks/ Jesse Ahern Saturday, March 4. 6:30 p.m. $90, resale only. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

SonReal Wednesday, March 8. 8 p.m. $22. Crowbar, Ybor City

They Might Be Giants Tuesday, March 14. 8 p.m. $34.50. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Eluveitie w/Omnium Gatherum/Seven Spires Wednesday, March 29. 6 p.m. $25.

Orpheum, Tampa

Louis Tomlinson Friday, July 14. 7 p.m. $56.25 & up. Yuengling Center, Tampa

Cancellations/reschedules

Engelbert Humperdinck at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Dec. 9 Rescheduled to Monday, Dec. 12.

Gino Vannelli at Bilheimer Capitol Theatre Rescheduled to Friday, March 3, 2023

Poster from the Figurehead Collection

An Exhibition that really rocks

NOW ON DISPLAY

Between 1985 and 2001, the Orlando concert promoter Figurehead invigorated the musical landscape in Central Florida. Catch a glimpse into what made this time in the Orlando area so memorable – the bands and the clubs, the community and the chaos.

Figurehead programming supported by

LUNCH & LEARN: EXHIBITION SHOWCASE

Friday, December 2, 2022, noon

Participate virtually or in-person

SINGER-SONGWRITERS

IN THE CENTRAL FLORIDA MUSIC SCENE

Sunday, December 11, 2 – 3 p.m.

- Tour the exhibit with a member of Orlando’s underground music scene (free admission)

TOTALLY NINETIES POP CULTURE

TRIVIA HAPPY HOUR

Thursday, December 15, 6 – 8 p.m. Admission $15, members $10. Details at TheHistoryCenter.com/events

Sponsored by

RED LIGHT MANAGEMENT

Die Kreuzen, courtesy of Jim Leatherman

Ace case

By Dan Savage

My ex-girlfriend and I had a good relation ship, but the sex was bad. When we had sex, it would eventually become clear that nobody was going to climax, or that she was tired or bored, and we would stop. I decided to let her take the lead and stopped initiating. I began to feel like not even my emotional needs were being met and that’s when she revealed what felt to her like the mother of all secrets: she may be asexual. She said she felt a lot of shame and confusion about it and had been withdrawing for that reason.

We agreed to explore her sexual identity together and try new things that could poten tially work for both of us. The first time we tried it went horribly. I felt insecure and uncomfort able, and I ended things early, as she had so often done. She started initiating, trying things when we went to bed and I kept it to cuddling, then went to the bathroom to “finish myself off” after she fell asleep. She heard me come back to bed, asked what I was doing, and I told her the truth. She got out of bed, sad and angry, and I tried to apologize but we never got past this.

Several months later, I’m still confused. I feel guilty about rejecting her only to sneak away to the bathroom after she fell asleep. At the same time, I don’t understand how what I did became such a deal breaker. I was raised in a religious home and spent a decade freeing myself from sexual shame and I feel like some of that work was undone here. Through the course of the relationship—and par ticularly that fateful evening—I felt ashamed of my sexual desire for her, which was clearly much more intense than hers towards me. She’s an ath lete with a perfect body, while I had been stress eating my way through the pandemic, which con tributed to my feeling undesirable.

I would like to move past my feelings of guilt but I’m not sure how. I’m afraid that being in a relationship with someone who identifies as asexual has had a lasting effect on me. The situ ation is too personal to be able to discuss it with anyone.—Healing Eludes Lesbian Pondering Messy End

“I don’t think HELPME should blame her self for this relationship ending,” said Dr. Ela Przybylo, “and she definitely shouldn’t think the breakup was the result of going to finish off in the bathroom that one night.”

Dr. Przybylo, who is an Assistant Professor of English, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Illinois State University, has identified at vari ous points along the asexual spectrum over the last 15 years. The label that best fits her now, she says, is gray asexual. (Gray asexuality is both a point along the asexuality spectrum and a spectrum unto itself—our spectrums contain spec trumtudes—but to put it simply, a gray asexual is someone who rarely experiences sexual desire.)

So, if you’re not to blame, HELPME, and slipping away to rub one out after your ex-girlfriend fell asleep isn’t to blame, that would seem to leave us with just one other blamable option: your ex-girlfriend. Or—hear Dr. Przybylo out—maybe forces larger than you and/or your girlfriend are to blame.

ace. And just as some gay men go through the heterosexual motions in a desperate attempt to make their straight marriages work (which can be confusing and hurtful for their wives), some asexuals go through the sexual motions to make their relationships with allosexuals work (which can be confusing and hurtful for their allo girlfriends).

“While a person’s sexuality is about them and their journey, it can and does affect others,” said Dr. Przybylo. “In this sense, HELPME’s ex probably didn’t intend to make her feel any which way. She was doing her best in a situation that was probably confusing and overwhelming and anxiety-producing for her too.”

HELPME, if you “recognize asexuality is a sex ual orientation and that her ex’s asexuality has nothing to do with HELPME or whether she’s desirable.”

And finally, HELPME, telling yourself you’re not desirable because your asexual ex-girlfriend didn’t wanna fuck you… is just as crazy as it sounds. I mean, of course your asexual ex-girl friend didn’t wanna fuck you. She doesn’t wanna fuck anybody. You shouldn’t have to get out there and fuck a few allos to feel desirable again—you should just trust that you’re desirable—but it might do you some good.

SAVAGE LOVE

If there was more awareness of the existence and legitimacy of asexuality, HELPME, your ex-girlfriend may have realized who she was sooner. And if she’d known she was ace before you met, she might have chosen to be your friend instead of your romantic partner. Or if she wanted a romantic relationship but not a sexual one—or wanted a minimally sexual one, which some asexual people do—you could’ve decided together whether that was something you both wanted.

“Being asexual, or ‘ace,’ can be very confus ing because we live in a culture where sex is presented as compulsory, necessary to intimacy, and central to romantic relationships,” said Dr. Przybylo. “And while it’s hard to hear, it’s pos sible HELPME’s partner never wanted to have sex but did it because she either thought she had to in order to maintain a relationship, or because of societal pressure, or both.”

It’s also possible your ex-girlfriend believed she wanted to have sex, HELPME, and believed she wanted to have sex with you. Being taught from an early age that sex isn’t just normal, but universal, and that all human beings have sex, no exceptions, can put a huge zap on someone’s head. Just as it used to be relatively common for homosexuals to enter into heterosexual relation ships before realizing they were gay, asexuals sometimes enter into relationships with allo sexuals (non-asexuals) before realizing they’re

As for that awful night, HELPME, it sounds like your ex-girlfriend may have felt bad about being asexual, which was why this relationship ultimately couldn’t work, but instead of owning up to the reason this relationship wasn’t going to work—she’s ace, you’re allo—she seized an opportunity to pin the blame on you. If you man age to circle back and salvage a friendship from the wreckage, your ex-girlfriend may come to see that, admit to it, and apologize for making you feel ashamed about having that wank.

In the meantime, HELPME, Dr. Przybylo thinks you should concentrate a little less on what didn’t work—what couldn’t work—and more on what did.

“HELPME should hold on to the joyous ele ments of the relationship and forgive her ex and herself for the sex not being what she wanted or imagined she wanted,” said Dr. Przybylo. And it will be easier for you to make that pivot,

Young straight dude here. Recently I have come across a ton of articles online about why women shouldn’t shave their armpits. These articles argue that armpit shaving is based on deeply patriar chal anti-feminist notions of female beauty. This leaves me feeling conflicted. I find women’s shaved armpits extremely erotic, if I’m attracted to the per son. I find shaved underarms irresistibly smooth and supple. I love the sensation. Plus, I love the warmth of the area, and how the underarms are right next to the shoulders, neck, and breasts— sort of a nexus point. Even visually, I find them off-the-rails sexually arousing. When women grow their armpit hair, it turns off what is for me one of the most sexually attractive parts of a woman’s body. Reading these articles has left me asking: Is it wrong to be so sexually attracted to something if it’s supposedly based on patriarchal beauty stan dards? Almost all the info I find online—shaving product advertisements aside—seems to be about why women shouldn’t shave their armpits and how a woman shaving her armpits is gender oppression. It’s really left me wondering: Why is this such an issue for some feminists?—Are Reflexive Male Psychosexual Interests That Stupid?

If you were smart enough to come up with that signoff, ARMPITS, you’re smart enough to hold these two not-quite-conflicting ideas in your mind without stroking out...

Send your question to mail@savagelove.net. Find podcasts, columns and read the rest of the column at savage.love.

FRESHIDEA/ADOBE

ACROSS

Sofia’s land: abbr.

Popeye creator Elzie

Butler’s bride

Mason, e.g.

Nichelle, on Star Trek

NASA booster rocket of the 1960s

Philosopher Kierkegaard

Corrida cry

Refusal from Santa?

St. Nick sidekick

Nerve-wracking event of Christmas 1962?

Hasn’t a lick of ___

Space scribe Willy

Feedbag morsel

Orbit extremes

You do it after Christmas

Stat. calculation

Soft touch

Sot’s yuletide remark about having a designated driver?

Experience is one

Exhilarating

One more time

Losing tic-tac-toe line

A slitherer for Ramses

Mouth opening?

Net-surfing, e.g.

Make a mistake

Acting Jillian

Acting Elliott

Dr. Menninger

Gerund finale

Private aid gp.

68 Temporary sensation

Yule remark to avoid self-incrimination?

Vile abode 74 “How was ___ know?”

Ending for “colour” 76 “Yeah, sure”

Treasure medium, maybe 78 Gretzky’s ground, once 79 “Also” affixation 80 Muttered mots in movies 82 Money-saving idea: abbr. 84 Be in control of 86 Memorized no. 87 Prompt again 88 Entire range 90 Deputy Strate of Hazzard 93 Yule detective comedy? 96 Said uncle 98 “... of Orient ___” 99 Word after chess or chest 100 Biafra, today 101 Co-writer with Buddy and Rob 104 Sault ___ Marie 106 Supermodel Campbell 108 Christmas Day football option? 118 An article, amigo 119 Love of money, at Christmastime? 120 Metrical tribute 121 Like the Otariidae seals

Skirt fold 123 The larval, e.g. 124 Adieu 125 Exults 126 Waste maker 127 Besides that

DOWN

Non-swing tactic

Word of worry

Life founder

Mkt.

Fine fabrics

Curmudgeonly exclamations

“___ to the Church on Time”

Against 9 Cheers 10 Acting Davis

___ contested

Indy 500 champ Luyendyk

Big name in 1960s toys

The end of ___

Blow and Doakes

“___ want for Christmas is ...”

Boxer separators

Pleases

Fencing swords

Cruise stopovers

Slanted, as a news story?: abbr.

Hard-to-beat one

Notes need

Yule transplant participant?

Right turns 36 Puzzling

Manner

Preparin’ a Christmas feast?

Patton’s Scott

“___ the fields we go ...”

Japanese poem

Sci-fi Solo

Air force base in Western Florida

Anagram of CROATIAN

Dead ___ (lookalike)

Benz follower 49 E.g. 51 Nostalgic

Greek letter

Ye ___ Pie Shoppe

Never been done before

Natalie Wood’s given name

Come up 64 No-refunds condition

Wartime Johnny

Exasperated

One at ___

Old car co.

Shapiro of NPR

Poet’s word

Capek classic

“___ Only Just Begun”

Bearded beast

Follow Olivier

It’s okay, in Orleans

Stationary-bike mecca

Bothersome one

“See ___ and fill it”

Third Hebrew letter

“Diamonds Are ___ Best Friend”

Write down, as chess moves

Huitzilopochti worshiper

The Merry Widow composer 104 Scatter

Sounds of the falls?

Neck backs

Monk who has reached nirvana

Major dollop

Kenny Rogers hit 110 Grasping comment?

Overfed Wolfe

19th Hebrew letter

Sexy secretary in The Producers

___ noire (pariah)

Of grandparents

Slangy smokes 117 Painter Paul

REINDEER GAMES by Merl Reagle