Creative Loafing Tampa — December 15, 2022

Craig, Chloe Greenberg, ArielleStevenson, Chelsea Zukowski

Story

PHOTOGRAPHERS Dave Decker, Kimberly DeFalco, Michael M. Sinclair

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CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jack Spatafora

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Joe Frontel

ILLUSTRATORS Dan Perkins, Cory Robinson, Bob Whitmore

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Anthony Carbone, Scott Zepeda

MARKETING, PROMOTIONS AND EVENTS

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

DIRECTOR

Alexis Quinn Chamberlain

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

MARKETING, PROMOTIONS AND EVENTS COORDINATOR Lauren Caplinger

EUCLID MEDIA GROUP

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Andrew Zelman

Music: Tampa Bay Blues Fest 40

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICERS

Music Week ...................................................42

Chris Keating, Michael Wagner

Concert review: Artic Monkeys 42

Music: Tampa Bay Blues Fest 40

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Sarah Fenske

Music Week ...................................................42

The List ..........................................................46

VP OF DIGITAL SERVICES Stacy Volhein

tampa.creativeloafing.com/cltv

Movie reviews 63

Concert review: Artic Monkeys 42 The List ..........................................................46 Movie reviews 63

REGIONAL OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Hollie Mahadeo

Free Will Astrology.........................................64

Puzzler ...........................................................66

Free Will Astrology.........................................64

Savage Love 69

Puzzler ...........................................................66

Savage Love 69

DIGITAL OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Jaime Monzon euclidmediagroup.com cltampa.com cldeals.com

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

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

The physical edition is available free of charge at locations throughout Tampa Bay and online at cltampa.com. Copyright 2021, Tampa

The newspaper is produced and printed on Indigenous land belonging to Tampa Bay’s Tocobaga and Seminole tribes. Our main number: (813) 739-4800 Letters to the editor: comments@cltampa.com Anonymous news tips: cltampabay_tips@protonmail.com

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

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

tampa.creativeloafing.com/cltv

ON THE COVER: Design by Joe Frontel.

Ybor Festival of the Moving Image cltampa.com/arts

Ybor Festival of the Moving Image cltampa.com/arts

twitter.com/cl_tampa facebook.com/cltampa editors Connects,

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the last hurrah for holiday activities, p. 39.

Salad Heights

sweetgreen opens first Tampa Bay location with more to come.

Sweetgreen is on a mission to redefine the future of food. Now open in Tampa Heights, with plans for expansion to Hyde Park Village and the Edge District over the next months, guests can enjoy seasonal, earthfriendly and hearty menu options featuring fresh produce, proteins and grains.

sweetgreen's food ethos prioritizes organic, regenerative, and local sourcing across a variety of warm bowls, salads, plates and sides including chef-crafted items and the option to build your own. Known for the freshest ingredients, diehard fan favorites and made-from-scratch dressings, (some of which even have a cult following), you'll never get bored with all the options available to you for lunch or dinner. Some menu highlights include:

- Buffalo Chicken Bowl featuring blackened chicken, pickled carrots and celery, and sg's take on ranch dressing

- Hot Honey Chicken Plate includes hot roasted sweet potatoes, hot honey ranch dressing, kale slaw

- Guacamole Greens have been on the menu since we opened, this beloved bowl is a take on chips + guac

- Any seasonal items which are rotated into the menu 5 times a year

Founded in 2007 by Jonathan Neman, Nathaniel Ru, and Nicolas Jammet, sweetgreen was born out of a need of three college students simply looking for a healthier, more convenient way to eat. Today, the restaurant brand is reimagining

fast food, all while leading with purpose and making sustainable decisions that last longer than we will, and never sacrificing quality for convenience. Commitment to sourcing locally is rooted from its founding in DC, where they worked with a local distributor to source produce from regional farms. Today, sweetgreen works with hundreds of farms across the country, transparently sharing their partners with guests via in-store chalkboards, to ensure they are providing the freshest ingredients possible. sweetgreen’s strong food ethos and investment in local communities have enabled them to grow into a national brand.

301 W Palm Ave / Tampa, FL / 33602 / (813) 680-2010 order.sweetgreen.com

the way. Prefer something on the go? Download the sweetgreen app and order ahead for pickup at the restaurant. The digital experience is seamless and allows for easy customization and selection, allowing you to choose the pickup time that best works for you. You can also access delivery through the sweetgreen app and enjoy premium access compared to other delivery providers, rewards and challenges all for ordering digitally. Want sweetgreen at your office? The Outpost option is a workplace food program that delivers locally sourced food to your office every day. sweetgreen is also available on all major delivery providers.

The value of convenience is on display as guests can order through multiple access points best suited to their daily needs. Stop in store and experience the product first hand by choosing a fan favorite or build your own with a team member to guide you along

With exciting things in store as it plans to make a home for itself in Tampa, sg is adding more healthy and hearty options to the city as it furthers its mission to build healthier communities by connecting people to real food.

It’s grrreat

Tampa Tiger Bay Club’s 40th anniversary, plus more things to do.

By Ray Roa and Chloe Greenberg

There are some who say that the notion of bringing people of different political philosophies together for civil discourse is antiquated. Tampa Tiger Bay Club gets pretty close.

The first-ever meeting of the nonpartisan political organization happened on Sept. 3, 1982, with the St. Petersburg Times reporting that the group’s guest, then-comptroller candidate Ralph Haben, took jabs at his opponent over the troubled Metropolitan Bank of Tampa. Fittingly, members of the club (125 at the time) didn’t let Haben off easy, and asked him about potential conflicts of interest related to some of Haben’s acquaintances.

That was 40 years ago, when Hillsborough County Commissioner Charlie Bean (who famously confessed to taking bribes) was Tampa Tiger Bay president, and while the political landscape has only grown more strange, the conversation at Tampa Tiger Bay is still spicy as ever (look no further than October when Tampa Bay Young Republicans President Brittany Lakhani dominated messaging in a conversation alongside Hillsborough County Young Democrats President Michael Womack).

On Friday, to celebrate the club’s 40th anniversary, Tampa Tiger Bay welcomes Pulitzerwinning columnist Daniel Ruth as special guest, then dishes out birthday cake, coffee mugs and the club’s coveted Garfield award. Tampa Tiger Bay Club: 40th anniversary forum w/Daniel Ruth. Friday, Dec. 16, registration opens at 11:15 a.m. $25 & up. The Cuban Club, 2010 N Avenida Republica de Cuba, Ybor City. tigerbayclub.com

Night falls

You have a few more days to experience one of St. Pete’s most favorite theatrical productions. Now full of new jokes and songs, the comedy about a snowy Florida holiday, The play first went on shortly after icon Stephen Sondheim passed last November. While the production was always meant to pay tribute to him, it became a love letter to the composer during its run. 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. “The Night Before.” Select nights through Dec. 24. $25-$45. freeFall Theatre, 6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. freefalltheatre.com

Spare change

“Time for Change" show comes from Miami’s contemporary art space El Espacio 23 and aims to give viewers a glimpse into how artists explore conflict and contradiction in contemporary society and throughout history, reframing the past within the present. Last year, TMA announced that it would begin a $100 million renovation and expansion. This opening coincided with the completion of the renovations. “Time for Change: Art and Social Unrest in the Jorge M. Pérez Collection.” On display through March 12, 2023. $5 & up. Tampa Museum of Art, 120 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. tampamuseum.org

GET ‘EM TIGER: (L-R) Brittany Lakhani, Gary Dolgin, Michael Womack and Tom Scherberger.

Every day, Creative Loafing Tampa Bay readers submit events to the CL event calendar. We’ve pulled out some of the best local events happening this week. So have a look, put this paper down, call a friend, and get out there. To be considered for this listing, please submit your event at cltampa.com.

Dinos and Dragons Experience lifesized dinosaurs as you’ve never seen them before. From the biggest long necks, to the most ferocious predators that ever walked the Earth! Parking is free for this timed-entry event. Tuesday-Sunday through Feb. 26, 4 p.m.-9 p.m. $20-$50. Harry Schwettman Education Center, 5520 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey. dinoanddragonsnpr.com

Central Avenue Walking Tour Tour “the Harlem of the South,” Tampa’s Central Avenue district. Learn about life in Tampa’s African-American community from the 1890s-1960s as part of this 90-minute outdoor trek with tour guide Ersula Odom. Saturday, Dec, 17, 10 a.m.11:30 a.m. $10-$20. Urban Lux at Tampa Park Plaza. 1405 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. tampabayhistorycenter.org

Holiday Trunk Show A special holiday shopping experience at The Dalí Museum Store, which hosts an intriguing trunk show featuring beautiful Murano glass jewelry handcrafted by Venetian artists. Also, shop the curated collection of Dalíinspired merchandise for the art lovers on your gift list. The store offers hundreds of unique gift items including fine reproductions, books, trendy and elegant art to wear, Dalí fragrances, unique décor accessories, melting clocks, Dalí-inspired jewelry and more. Saturday, Dec. 17, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free to attend. The Dalí, 1 Dalí Blvd., St. Petersburg. thedali.org

This year proceeds will benefit Clothes to Kids, Inc. a nonprofit organization that provides new and quality used clothing to low-income or in crisis school-age children, free of charge! Join us! Enjoy food & drink from Simple Mexican Grill, local craft vendors and a Pusha Preme music video premiere, exclusive merch drop, and live performance. Saturday, Dec. 17, 6 p.m.-11 p.m. $20. Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel. 4200 Jim Walter Blvd., Tampa. hiddensoundvillage.org

Dominican Noche Buena lunch Bru’s Annual Noche Buena celebration (just a little earlier this year.) This is our way of saying thank you to our customers and is something we’ve been doing since we opened five years ago. Grab a traditional Dominican Christmas Eve dinner, with pernil-roast pork, arroz con gandules aka rice and beans, plátanos maduros and yuca. Food will be catered by Sabor a Merengue. And, of course, we’ll have many great beers on tap to wash down your meal! Including the re-tapping of Crooked Thumb’s Frosty Nibs Peppermint Bark Golden Ale. Food is first come, first served. Sunday, Dec. 18, noon-7 p.m. Free to attend. Bru Florida Growler Bar. 8729 Gunn Hwy, Odessa. @brugrowler on Facebook

St. Pete Opera: Holiday Sparkle Enjoy a special, family-friendly, POPera-style show with our world-class performers in the heart of St. Pete! VIP and ‘Pay What You Can’ seating options are available. “Pay What You Can” patrons are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket to the park. Bring your own food and drinks to have a festive picnic experience. Sunday, Dec. 18, 3 p.m.-5 p.m. VIP ($35) and pay-what-you-want. North Straub Park. 400 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. stpeteopera.org

COURTESY

Pusha Preme Bad Santa Pusha Preme and Hidden Sound Village have partnered up for our yearly charity holiday party!

POLITICS ISSUES OPINION

Broken HART

Peer review never delivered to Hillsborough transit board says ‘staff feels demoralized.’

By Justin Garcia

As Hillsborough transit CEO Adelee Le Grand faces an investigation into allegations of a hostile work environment, a suppressed document shows that employees raised concerns about leadership over a year ago. The document, obtained by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay through a public records request, was produced by the American Public Transit Association (ATPA) and shows that employees at HART expressed worry over communication and transparency from management in September of 2021.

Workers from bus operators to top level management voiced their concerns in the review, but the HART board never received it from Le Grand, even after it was requested. Board Chair Pat Kemp asked for the peer review several times over the past year, because Le Grand had told the board it would take place after she first started the job in January of 2021.

“I’m shocked that this was held back from the board,” Kemp told CL. “I can’t emphasize enough how helpful this could have been for us. I’m going to ask for APTA to come in and update this report.”

The peer review essentially acted as a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats). In the review, communication and transparency from leadership was identified over and over again as a weakness.

“Staff do not feel valued and fear retaliation,” one page reads. “Staff feels demoralized that new management has preconceived notions about their abilities.”

“Low morale observable from almost every group interviewed,” another page reads. “Perception of lack of communication/strategic vision from leadership down to impacted units.”

“New policies not effectively communicated to employees,” the document says. “Lack of communication leading to gossip/speculation. Vision is not disseminated to all levels of organization. Lack of transparency on decision making and resource allocation.”

The document continued that the lack of transparency led to speculation within the organization that leadership was trying to drive HART toward a privatized model. Le Grand worked as a vice president for private transit entity Trans Dev before transitioning to HART.

Burnout among bus operators was also reported in the peer review, and many were forced to work on days off with threat of reprisal, the review said. The peer review noted that many employees interviewed “seemed to be in the dark” about overall leadership or decision making. It also cited an “overall lack of transparency” at the organization.

APTA Made suggestions for management.

“Focus on top-down communication,” the peer review reads, “seek employees’ input.” APTA recommended town hall meetings or other avenues to “disseminate information and proactively gather feedback.”

But current and ex-employees tell CL that the communication issues only got worse. Meanwhile Le Grand says that she and the rest of management have held over 30 meet -

the investigation into Le Grand. She narrowly avoided suspension by the board this week, which held a tied vote meaning that the motion to suspend failed.

The peer review does note that there were pre-existing issues at the organization, which has seen a rapid turnover of CEOs in recent years, which “undermines incentives to undertake long-term planning and execution.” The report also noted that managers were not held accountable for reports provided to higher-level management.

review,” Le Grand wrote. “As a leader, I believe in bringing solutions to the board, so I created an Action Plan for moving forward rather than focus on past problems. I presented the plan to the board in the Fall of 2021 and have provided regular updates on the progress.”

LOCAL NEWS

However, the APTA document doesn’t just focus on past problems. The review also specifically refers to current and new management.

Le Grand has not yet responded to the concerns over new management.

The positive aspects of the review include staff being able to “hold down the fort” during constant change at the organization and that HART does a good job on its financial reports.

Former county commissioner Mariella Smith, who was a HART board director for four years until last month, told CL she had anticipated the peer review since last year, but never got to see it.

“I was expecting the review to be very helpful and certainly it should have been brought to the board when it was completed,” Smith said. “And the results of the review should have been communicated to the employees. It should have been utilized by management to move forward.”

Kimberly Overman, who also sat on the HART board of directors last year, had similar sentiments about the review not being provided to the board.

“I do know that there’s not as much transparency as I would have liked between the board and HART’s management,” Overman said. “So it made it really hard for us to do our job, which is to advise and guide and evaluate performance.”

Overman also pointed out that with HART’s lack of proper funding, it will be difficult for any CEO to operate the organization to its potential. HART, which serves the county’s nearly 1.5 million residents, is one of the most underfunded transit agencies in the country.

ings to engage with the staff since last August. Since the review took place back in 2021, CL has found that over 57 administrative level employees have left the organization through termination or quitting, including high-ranking officials. Le Grand has gone through four marketing and communications directors, with one of them calling her a “dictator and a tyrant” in a leaked resignation letter.

These issues, along with a high ranking official caught working two jobs, have prompted

In a statement sent to CL, Le Grand said that she was hired to improve the service that HART provides to the community, while also changing the internal culture. It was imperative that she quickly learn the issues and challenges that she needed to make a top priority, she said.

“I spent the first six to nine months gathering information through internal discussions and speaking with subject matter experts. Part of that process was hiring the American Public Transportation Association to conduct a peer

HART board member Gil Schisler said that he doesn’t remember the peer review being requested in an open forum, but he had asked Le Grand about it a couple of times. He said the board’s job isn’t to get involved in the everyday operations of HART, but said he’ll review the document because it might be useful for the board’s mission to guide and advise the CEO.

All of the board members acknowledged that Le Grand did not walk into a healthy scenario, and that many of the problems at HART existed before her arrival. But they all said that transparency is an important aspect of leadership.

“Results of the review should have been communicated to the employees.”

HART-BREAK? We need a reprieve from news about Hillsborough’s transit agency.

Show ‘nuff

TPD

chief’s gaffe makes it to late night TV.

By Ray Roa

Last week, from sea to shining sea, the country found out that for Tampa’s police chief, it’s “rules for thee, but not for me.” The revelations came after bodycam video of Mary O’Connor pulling out her badge during a traffic stop was picked up by countless outlets across the country. The clip reached every corner of the U.S. thanks to the Associated Press and even landed on CNN where a former Los Angeles Police Department sergeant dismissed outrage over the incident before later writing, “I don’t cite cops and neither do others. Your being bothered won’t change police culture.”

There’s no telling how the ethics violation by Tampa’s top cop will change police culture locally, but it did bother one of O’Connor’s biggest cheerleaders, Mayor Jane Castor, who accepted the chief’s resignation Monday morning, less than a week after the video was first released to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.

Last Monday night, the footage made it onto “The Daily Show” where host Trevor Noah roasted O’Connor for pulling rank from the passenger seat of a golf cart. After jokes about the U.S. Men’s National Team losing to Holland, the late night host called for things to calm down so he could take the audience to Tampa, Florida, “Where we finally found the answer to the quantum physics paradox: What happens when a police officer pulls over the chief of police?”

He then rolled a pair of CNN segments including the video where a Pinellas County Sheriff deputy pulls over a golf cart for not having plates on a public road. Behind the wheel is O’Connor’s husband Keith, a former cop and current director of Tampa’s code enforcement office.

As locals know by now, the video shows O’Connor in the passenger seat asking the deputy

if his camera is on, to which he says, “it is.” The chief then identifies herself as Tampa’s top cop, pulls out her badge, says “I’m hoping you’ll just let us go tonight” to which he obliges. She eventually hands over a business card and says, “If you

“Because what was she gonna do if the body camera was off?” Noah asks, before impersonating the chief saying, “’Oh, it’s not recording, quick Doug, whack him over the head—let’s get out of here!’”

Awkward.

Little did Noah know that in 1995 the same duo, just dating at the time, was pulled over by a sheriff on suspicion of DUI. Keith was also driving in ‘95, but Mary got in on the action according to deputies who said she

as police chief where she served for less than a year.

Noah then cracks a joke about the now-former chief doing “that thing white people do when they act like it hurts them to pull rank over you” and hits a hard truth when he talks about the nature of the resignation, calling it “the biggest waste of a scandal of all time.”

“There are police chiefs who’ve stolen millions of dollars in drug money,” he says. “Meanwhile, she’s out here like, ‘Yeah, I pulled some strings and drove super slow on the highway.’”

Longtime observers of the Tampa Police Department probably nodded their head at that one because it is puzzling that it was a golf cart that sent the chief off to do nothing and collect on a nearly $80,000 pension earned during her long career with the department.

Both O’Connor and her boss Castor, Tampa’s first woman police chief, were among officers who oversaw a “Biking While Black” program. A Department of Justice investigation concluded that the program disproportionately ticketed Black cyclists at 73%, despite the population of Tampa being 26% black at the time.

O’Connor was also a highranking officer during TPD’s crime-free multi-housing program, which, you guessed it, disproportionately evicted Black renters and also used questionable language to describe some renters.

“But enough about that,” Noah concludes before moving onto the next segment. Unfortunately for Tampa, the bit’s not over.

ever need anything, call me—serious.”

Noah stops the video as the audience laughs and says, “It’s crazy that she asks if the officer’s body cam is on before incriminating herself.”

Castor has promised another nationwide search for a new chief. Her last search, however, was markedly executed with such little transparency that at one point even her own staff couldn’t tell CL if the mayor had talked to any candidates. With an election to decide on who’ll be mayor coming up in March, no one would be surprised if Castor punted the search until after voters go to the polls.

So for now, Tampa waits. And once again, the joke’s on us.

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY BOB WHITMORE

kicked the windows of a cop car and punched a deputy as he tried to calm her down. Despite public outcry and the opposition of two city councilmembers, Castor insisted on O’Connor

Make noise

DOJ

seeks input from victims of Tampa’s ‘crime free multi-housing’ program.

By Justin Garcia

As the federal investigation into Tampa’s “crime free multi-housing” program continues, the U.S. Department of Justice is looking for statements from those who were negatively impacted by it. According to a document obtained by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, the DOJ is evaluating how Tampa implemented the program, and if it targeted Black and Latino renters—or the areas where they are more likely to live.

The DOJ has not yet determined if the program violated federal law, but is looking for personal input as part of the investigation. “If you have information about the enforcement of Tampa’s Crime Free MultiHousing Program, including how you may have been affected by the Program, we want to hear from you,” the document reads.

Under the program, Tampa Police Department encouraged landlords to evict tenants who were associated with any alleged criminal activity, whether or not they were found guilty in court. Around 1,100 renters were flagged for eviction—90% of whom were Black. This has led the project to be colloquially termed “renting while Black” by social justice groups.

The DOJ is specifically looking to talk to people who lost or were denied rental housing in Tampa between 2013 and now, or those who were asked to leave or were denied rental housing following an arrest or other alleged criminal activity, whether or not there was a charge or conviction.

Statements are also sought from those whose housing was impacted by a call to 911 for help because of mental health or domestic violence issues, or due to the arrest of another tenant, guest, or family member.

The DOJ asks anyone who falls under these categories to call 1-833-591-0291, press 1 for English, press 1 for Discrimination in Housing, and press 6 for the crime free investigation. The DOJ can also be contacted by email at: Tampa-CF@usdoj.gov.

The investigation was launched into the program last December. Mayor Jane Castor kept it a secret for five months, before hosting a press conference to announce the investigation 10 days after CL made a public records request about it last April.

Mayor Castor defended the program at the presser, saying that it helped reduce crime, and alluded to the city initiating the investigation. But in fact the city had only sent a letter to Housing and Urban Development to review the program, and the DOJ started the investigation into the program on its own.

“The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated an investigation of the old Crime Free

initiative to ensure that that program did not violate the Fair Housing Act by making unavailable or denying housing units,” the city wrote in a press release last April.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination by providers of housing.

While Castor and TPD claimed the program targeted serious crimes, some renters—including entire families who did not commit any crimes—were evicted because a housemate had been arrested for minor infractions like pan-

More documents procured by CL show that both ex-police chief Mary O’Connor and Castor oversaw the program, while also operating the “biking while Black” program at TPD, which targeted Black bicyclists for stop and search and was also the subject of a federal investigation.

LOCAL NEWS

In December of 2021—despite Castor adamantly defending the program in the face of legal and civil rights groups from around the country demanding it to end—interim police

Instead, TPD says the program focuses on education and training on public safety best practices. But local attorney and activist James Michael Shaw Jr. says that the negative effects of renting while Black are still being felt.

“They didn’t put the toothpaste back in the tube, they just put the cap back on,” Shaw wrote in a message to CL. “With SAFE, TPD stopped asking landlords to stick language into lease agreements saying

SAY WHAT? For some reason there was no big PR push about the DOJ’s request.

handling and petty theft.

A Yale professor and author of ‘How Fascism Works’ reviewed the program’s documents and told CL that it used both fascist language and racially-biased stereotypes. Documents obtained by CL earlier this year revealed more racially charged language in the program.

chief Butch Delgado changed the program to what TPD said is a less intrusive model called “SAFE”.

SAFE seems to cease some of the worst aspects of the former program and cut ties from the national “crime free” model. TPD says it no longer communicates directly with landlords to tell them when a tenant has committed a crime.

tenants will get evicted if a family member or guest gets arrested, but they can’t make landlords stop using that language now that they’ve started using it. And they’re still using it.”

Shaw says that the only way to undo the damage is to pass a law that invalidates lease provisions that can lead to discrimination.

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On their own

St. Pete officially opts out of county tenant protections.

By Arielle Stevenson

In its final vote on the topic, St. Petersburg City Council unanimously agreed to forgo the county’s tenant bill of rights in lieu of its own. Two weeks ago, administration agreed some of the county’s protections are more extensive than the city’s new ordinance. That includes protections for sources of income, and longer inspection periods for those receiving assistance.

“I think our Board of County Commissioners did a great job with protection for our tenants,” resident and activist Jaleesa Blackshear said. “I also think that the five-day inspection timeline is demoralizing and oppressive, and is not, fine.”

In another 7-1 vote, council passed an amendment to city code concerning source of income discrimination and third-party payments for move-in costs. This means landlords can’t necessarily turn down applicants because their monthly income calculation includes sources of income like a government stipend (think Section 8). Concerning third-party payments, St. Pete’s new amendment means landlords have to allow vouchers or housing stipends in payment for move-in costs. Council member Ed Montanari voted against the measure. Just before it passed, council chair Gina Driscoll asked administrator Amy Foster about third-party moving costs.

business item to shore up the city’s bill of rights, “including timeframes, inspections and insurance exemptions.”

The motion refers the item to the Housing Land Use and Transportation or HLUT committee in the new year. It passed unanimously.

“We’re happy to see the changes today,” Karla Correa with the St. Pete Tenants Union or SPTU said. “But you know, we definitely need to get moving on the items that Councilmember Muhammad brought up.”

HOUSING

While the city punts the housing crisis into the new year, again, activists aren’t backing down. The SPTU and the Affordable St. Pete Coalition urged council, as they did last year and six months ago, and every week it seems, to act on tenant right to counsel (RTC).

“This is a policy that evens the legal playing field,” resident James Trimarco said. “This is not that cutting edge anymore, because three whole states have the right to counsel. Those cities no longer allow tenants to face their landlord without legal representation in court.”

New York City became the first city nationwide to offer RTC in 2017. In January, Connecticut became the third state with RTC, following Maryland and Washington.

“Something that was brought to my attention is that when someone gets assistance with moving costs, there can be a delay in that being received,” Driscoll said.

Foster, the former CEO of Housing Leadership Alliance, stated that most checks for housing were cut to landlords in 24 hours to less.

“I never once had a landlord move someone in without payment being made prior,” Foster said. “I know that Bay Area [Apartments] presented that to you...It’s uncommon in my experience.”

After last week’s discussion, Council member Brother John Muhammad motioned for a new

“We’re going to keep educating people, we’re going to keep the pressure on,” William Kilgore with the SPTU said.

Sixteen cities total and three states in total have RTC; St. Petersburg activists want the Sunshine City on that list.

“It can reduce evictions and benefit both renters and good landlords, the kind who care about building communities rather than sucking them dry,” resident and longtime social worker Leslie Baumann said.

For now, RTC still sits in the Youth and Family Services Committee. The next meeting hasn’t yet been announced.

DAVE DECKER

Play on, playa

CL reporter named to Axios ‘Power Players’ list.

By Ray Roa

1Big Thing : Creative Loafing Tampa Bay Staff Writer Justin Garcia has been named to Axios Local’s 2022 “Power Players” list.

• Garcia joined CL’s full-time staff in June 2021 after launching his byline with 2019 profiles of local weirdos like John Moll and Skunk the busker, then turning his focus to the Florida penal system, housing, gay commies, police accountability and more.

• He most recently unearthed video of Tampa Police Chief Mary O’Connor using her badge to get out of a traffic stop, eventually forcing the troubled chief’s resignation.

Why It Matters: Axios reporters Selene San Felice and Ben Montgomery referenced Garcia’s coverage of the chief in their comments, adding that reporting by the 35-year-old University of South Florida journalism school grad “is speaking up for the poor and reporting clearly and transparently on power.”

Yes, but: Garcia—who is under the “Ones To Watch” section of the list—took a journalism class Montgomery taught at USF. Axios says, “Ben takes no credit.”

What They’re Saying: San Felice and Montgomery added that Garcia “has helped make Creative Loafing a vital read once again.”

• We agree that Justin had elevated CL to new heights in a way only he can, but think that Axios would still regularly aggregate our reporting and

turn it into little bullet points even if Garcia never accepted our job offer.

• Just kidding.

• We like seeing CL reporting opening your newsletter, guys.

Next steps: Buy Justin a beer, or go see him lose his shit onstage when his band Afterworld (where he performs alongside Merchandise frontman Carson Cox) opens for Dean Spunt at Tampa venue Hooch and Hive next Thursday, Dec. 22.

The Pulp: We’re proud of juice.

Communications expert and CL contributor Timothy Burke—who more impor tantly made Deadspin great for seven years—was also named in Axios Local’s “Power Players” list, with the publication lauding Burke’s command of Twitter, plus his big year, which included an appearance on Netflix.

Kyla says that while she thinks their jobs at CL are vastly different, that it’s truly an honor to work alongside someone who is so clearly dedi cated to his craft and the overall character of our paper. And he’s just like, really cool.

Ray is grateful to work next to Justin, and our entire team, every day and also wonders how long it’s going to be until Axios steals him away.

Saturday, Dec. 17, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Yuletide Magic Wednesday, Dec. 21, 6:30 p.m.

THE JUICE IS LOOSE: Garcia joined CL full-time in June 2021.

Blue privilege

No discipline for deputy who let former TPD chief out of traffic stop.

By Justin Garcia

The Pinellas County Sheriff Deputy who let former Tampa Police Chief Mary O’Connor out of a traffic violation will not be disciplined. PCSO confirmed to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that Deputy Larry Jacoby will not face reprimand after a Nov. 12 traffic stop where he released O’Connor without question after she flashed her TPD badge.

“Deputy Jacoby not facing discipline,” PCSO Sergeant Amanda Sinni wrote in an email last week. When asked for elaboration on why the deputy was not facing any sort of discipline, Sinni did not respond. But WFLA reported that during a press conference Sheriff Gualtieri said, “Deputy Larry Jacoby did absolutely nothing wrong. I stand by him 110%”Gualtieri said the only person who did wrong is Mary O’Connor, saying that what happened is “Tampa’s business.”

In the video first obtained by CL after multiple public records requests, Jacoby pulls O’Connor and her husband Keith over for driving on a golf cart on a public road without a license plate. He approaches the couple as Keith tries to explain what they were doing. O’Connor asks if Jacoby’s camera is on, then tells him she’s the police chief in Tampa and says, “I really hope you’ll just let us go tonight,” while pulling out her badge to show him. Jacoby mentions that he thinks he recognizes O’Connor and lets them go, after shaking O’Connor’s hand. She hands him her card. “If you ever need anything call me—serious,” she tells Jacoby.

CL first reported on the video Dec. 1, and O’Connor submitted her resignation four days later at the demand of Mayor Jane Castor. While PCSO is not elaborating on why Jacoby

is not being reprimanded, it is common practice that law enforcement officers have discretion if they issue traffic citations or perform sobriety checks on drivers.However, in the video Jacoby let O’Connor go specifically because she showed him her badge, which is a privilege that most citizens don’t have. This is a key factor of the interaction that has caused uproar around the country, leading to O’Connor’s resignation.

One retired Los Angeles Police Department sergeant told CNN that Jacoby’s behavior in letting O’Connor go is expected and normal in the law enforcement community. “Listen, it’s really not that big of a deal,” retired Sergeant Cheryl Dorsey, adding that many law enforcement officers have let each other go over the years.

Dorsey tried to play off the backlash to O’Connor’s behavior as sexism, and said that it’s expected that cops don’t hold each other to the same standards as the rest of the public during traffic stops.

“People say, well why did the chief ID herself?” Dorsey said. “We do that expecting professional courtesies like every other occupation does when you run into your colleagues.”

When asked if that was a double standard for the average citizen who would not receive that kind of treatment, Dorsey said that she always shows her police identification when pulled over and that cops let each other off all the time. Dorsey added that she’s been aware of cops pulling over other cops who were driving drunk and just give them a ride home. But to the question of whether

STOP, DROP: Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said what happened is ‘Tampa’s business.’

Fast lane

Memes show TPD staff celebrating chief’s resignation.

By Colin Wolf

Tampa Police Chief Mary O’Connor resigned last week after body cam footage showed her flashing her badge to get out of a golf cart traffic violation, and while some at TPD may be upset and disappointed with her sudden departure, others within the city’s largest department celebrated by sharing memes. The memes, which were first obtained by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, were shared within TPD chats and cover everything from jokes about O’Connor’s golf cart scandal to suggestions for her replacement.

In one meme, O’Connor and her husband Keith are seen driving through an intersection with streets named Resignation, Retirement and Fast Lane, along with caution signs warning that golf carts “will end career.”

In another, O’Connor is photoshopped to appear at a DMV, finally getting a license plate for her golf cart, which was the primary reason she was pulled over by a Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputy on Nov. 12 near her home in Oldsmar.

guns off the street this year as compared to last year,” said Castor.

Pressing on that point, Saedi responded, “You think she improved the morale of the police department under her tenure here?”

“Yes,” said Castor. “The officer’s self-initiated activity at the department has increased, and as I stated the violent gun crime has reduced, more guns off the street, put in place officer wellness initiatives, so she has implemented a number of changes.”

LOCAL NEWS

A few of the memes also touched on how some of the employees hoped for a return of Butch Delgado, who acted as interim chief during Mayor Jane Castor’s police chief search, but was ultimately passed up for O’Connor.

While current and former TPD employees have anonymously told CL that O’Connor had a turbulent relationship with her rank and file staff, Castor maintains that O’Connor was wellliked, and actually “improved morale.”

In an interview with WFLA reporter Castor Mahsa Saeidi, Castor defended her controversial appointment of O’Connor, stating that she was well-liked during her nine months as police chief. “She’s improved morale at the City of Tampa, reduced gun violence, taking an additional 250

The memes are by no way a comprehensive view of the climate at TPD, but they do show a glimpse into the troubles O’Connor has had during her reign. O’Connor was confirmed as chief last March in a 4-2 vote by City Council, with the two no votes coming from councilmen Bill Carlson and former Tampa police officer Orlando Gudes. At the time, her confirmation was controversial, and heavily criticized because of the lack of transparency from the mayor in the selection process, plus concerns over a 1995 incident where O’Connor assaulted a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputy during a DUI stop.

In her resignation letter, O’Connor listed off some of her accomplishments, like taking over the community forums started by Delgado, the introduction of a therapy dog, and touted her own efforts to focus on the wellness of officers through the chaplaincy program.

“I would never want my personal mistake to stand in the way of the progress I have made in mending relationships between the police department and the community, so for that reason, I am resigning,” O’Connor added. “I plan to use this time to reflect and spend time with my family and children before moving on to any future endeavors.”

SHOWTIME: Mary O’Connor was confirmed as chief of police in March.

CITY OF TAMPA

Look at me

Democratic backbencher to become an Independent.

By Jeffrey C. Billman

Folks, Kyrsten Sinema needs your attention!

Arizona’s most prominent narcissist—having been booted off-stage Tuesday when Senate Democrats secured their 51st vote, depriving her of a veto and thus the spotlight she so obviously, desperately craves—announced on Friday that she was leaving the Democratic Party to become an independent.

Sinema didn’t say she’ll continue to caucus with Democrats. But she said she expects to keep her committee assignments, which won’t happen if she throws in with the GOP. So the Democrats’ majority should remain, allowing President Biden to power through his judicial nominations for the next two years.

Nothing immediately changes, but Sinema gets to bask in another round of media attention—and Democrats get another 2024 headache to deal with. “I know some people might be a little bit surprised by this, but actually, I think it makes a lot of sense,” Sinema told CNN.

No one was surprised, Kyrsten.

You needn’t be a political savant to see through the bullshit. Sinema, a former Green Party activist who spent the last two years sabotaging Democrats, won her seat in 2018, the best Democratic year in over a decade. To preserve her political ambitions, she modeled herself after the “maverick” John McCain, minus anything resembling a principle beyond naked self-interest.

Two years later—in a more challenging Democratic environment—Arizona voters also elected Mark Kelly to the Senate. Like Sinema, Kelly campaigned on promises to be independent and bipartisan. Unlike Sinema, he had to run again in 2022 to claim a full term, in a year everyone expected to be a red wave.

Yet Kelly didn’t vaingloriously knife his party in the back. And in November, he won reelection by five points—practically a blowout in a state that had been deep red for a generation.

Sinema knew she couldn’t replicate his feat. She couldn’t survive a Democratic primary against U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego. So if she runs for re-election in 2024, she’ll do so as an independent. She won’t win. Nobody likes her: Only 37% of likely Democratic voters approved of her as of September; 36% of Republicans did. As the election nears, both numbers will plummet.

The only question is whether Sinema forgoes spoiling Gallego’s campaign before taking a plum gig shilling for Big Pharma.

Given the Paul Gosar-fication of the Arizona GOP, that’s unsettling. Kelly’s victory this year, of course, was as much a testament to Arizona Republicans boarding the crazy train as his skill as a candidate. Up and down the ballot,

GAGE SKIDMORE

the party failed to offer its best and brightest, and Blake Masters was the icing on the cake. If the current trajectory continues, one can only guess what asylum they’ll pluck the next GOP nominee from.

Then again, this is a microcosm of the national Republican Party’s existential crisis. This candidate-quality problem greased the wheels of Sen. Raphael Warnock’s re-election over Herschel Walker in Georgia, which ensured the Democrats’ majority, and plagued Republicans in Pennsylvania, Nevada, and New Hampshire (and in Ohio, though J.D. Vance won).

Florida Sen. Rick Scott—who, and this can’t

candidates” says much more about him than it does about them.

This is the same reason Republicans have only a nine-seat majority in the House instead of the expected 30-or-40-seat margin. All over the country, Democrats won districts they had no business winning in a midterm—and if the Democratic parties in New York and Florida weren’t such colossal shit shows, Nancy Pelosi would have ended her career with the speaker’s gavel.

INFORMED DISSENT

In North Carolina’s interpretation, that means state courts can’t strike down explicitly partisan gerrymanders—which means that, because of prior U.S. Supreme Court decisions, no one can. In more Trumpian circles, it means state courts can’t stop legislatures from appointing presidential electors if they disapprove of voters’ decisions.

Democrats, for example, won the only two competitive congressional districts in North Carolina, splitting the delegation 7-7 while Republicans swept every statewide race. The difference: Both congressional candidates were Trump-endorsed, unaccomplished conspiracy freaks running against mainstream, wellfunded Dems.

For even this radical court, that seemed like too big a bite. But who knows? In practical terms, it doesn’t matter for North Carolina. Republicans won a majority on the state’s supreme court in November, so the legislature will re-gerrymander congressional districts for their affirmation—and this time, maybe they’ll be idiot-proof.

This context is important for the inevitable both-sidesing of Sinema’s announcement, which, it’s no coincidence, she made on Friday, timed for the Sunday morning circuit. Republicans and

be repeated often enough, oversaw one of the largest Medicare fraud schemes in American history—defended his abysmal performance as head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. He insisted that “we had good, quality candidates,” while admitting, “All of this has been pretty disappointing.”

That Rick Scott believes Herschel Walker and Blake Masters and Mehmet Oz were “quality

North Carolina Republicans’ solution is not to run better candidates, but to blame the state’s supreme court for blocking their attempted gerrymander. Last week, North Carolina’s legislative leaders urged the U.S. Supreme Court to adopt the independent state legislature theory, a once-fringe doctrine that says state courts can’t interfere with how legislatures run federal elections.

the media’s professional centrists will frame this as a Democrat leaving the “far left” for the “middle.”

The reality is much simpler: As one of 51 Democrats, Sinema was a backbencher about to lose her primary. As an independent, she can still preen for the cameras and collect fat checks from corporate PACs. Either way, her Senate shelf life expires on Jan. 3, 2025.

TAKE YOUR MEDICINE: How long until Sinema takes a plum gig shilling for Big Pharma?

“No one was surprised, Kyrsten.”

Shit Happened

SATURDAY 03

Video out of Ocala shows a large group of invasive herpes monkeys diving from trees near boaters on the Silver River. Ocalaians have a lot to be proud of this holiday season—and Florida’s Burmese pythons, housing-eating African land snails and giant Amazonian river monsters are all going to need to to work harder to stay in the headlines.

THURSDAY 08

FRIDAY 09

The U.S. Department of Agriculture releases a report that blames the 2022 Hurricane Season for ruining nearly 30% of Florida’s citrus crops. At this point, I’m just giving my kid Sunny D and telling them it’s from a tree.

MONDAY 12

Rep. Joe Harding—also from Ocala— resigns his House seat Thursday after being charged with fraudulently obtaining coronavirus-related business loans. He’s the Republican who sponsored Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law, so this is totally on brand. Those herpes monkeys don’t seem so bad, huh?

Speaking of hurricanes, Greater Good Charities says that Hurricane Ian wiped out at least 100,000 beehives, since queens who’re bothered by the storms aren’t laying any more eggs. And when the honey runs out, I’m going to start sweetening my tea with maple syrup.

cltampa.com/news.

State

RESTAURANTS RECIPES DINING GUIDES

Fillings good

Tampa’s beloved Acapulco Taqueria reopens, and more in Tampa Bay foodie news.

By Kyla Fields

We’ll have to update last week’s “23 underthe-radar Tampa Bay taco spots you need to try before you die” slideshow, because one of the area’s most prized taquerias has recently returned from a hiatus. Acapulco Taqueria is now open out of its original location at 1001 N Macdill Ave. in West Tampa, adjacent to Rollin’ Oats Market and Alessi Bakery.

The popular, family-owned taqueria reopened about a month ago according to its brand new Facebook page, where dozens of mouthwatering taco photos live. Acapulco closed sometime in 2021 for unknown reasons. A Reddit thread from last year shows dozens of taco-lovers mourning the closure of Acapulco, where folks bonded over its “legendary carnitas.” A Redditor says that the taqueria temporarily closed to remodel, but didn’t end up reopening its doors until fall 2022.

The popular Mexican spot boasts the same menu of chicken, chorizo, al pastor, carnitas, shrimp and birria tacos, burritos, tostadas and quesadillas—which are now all available for online ordering as well. Wash your street tacos down with glass-bottled sodas, fruit juices or an ice cold cerveza. Acapulco is now open with limited hours of 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, plus 5 p.m.-9 p.m. on Wednesday. It’s closed every Monday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information on the newly-reopened Acapulco Taqueria, head to acapulcotaqueriatampa.com or its new Facebook page.

Missouri-based Shortwave Coffee soft opens at Sparkman Wharf

Sparkman Wharf is a go-to spot for street tacos, Asian fusion and gourmet hot dogs, but

the downtown Tampa hotspot’s newest addition is of the caffeinated variety. Shortwave Coffee, a Missouri-based specialty roaster, soft opened at Sparkman Wharf last week. The cafe, located at 615 Channelside Dr., serves a range of espresso-based beverages, pour overs, tea, and a variety of pastries and casual breakfast items. According to its website, Shortwave’s signature drink is the “Mint

besides Tampa’s is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The specialty cafe and roaster has obtained many accolades, like shoutouts from Food & Wine magazine and awards from the “The World’s Largest Coffee Roasting Competition,” Golden Bean. Shortwave is now open from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. daily during its soft opening phase. Water Street Tampa’s Instagram says that an official grand open -

vegan-friendly dishes. For the first time ever, Southern restaurant Chief’s Creole Cafe— located at 901 22 St. S—is now open until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

And although meaty options like its spicy jambalaya and popular gumbo (packed with chicken, shrimp, crab and crawfish) are still available, Chief’s Creole Cafe recently added a variety of vegan options to its menu as well.

The Creole restaurant now offers a plant-based version of its gumbo, in addition to red beans and rice with vegan sausage, meatless meatball subs and “shrimp” po-boys on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Its full menu—which includes boozy beignets, crawfish fritters and seafood boils—can be browsed on chiefscreole. com. The restaurant also still offers its “Soulful Sunday’’ dinner, complete with baked ham or fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, candied yams, corn bread and dessert, all for $15.

Mayday,” a sweet and creamy cold brew complete with muddled mint.

Photos show that this newly-opened cafe has lofty ceilings, sleek and minimalist decor, and large, floor-to-ceiling windows. In the far corner, guests can watch its coffee roasting machine in action.

The first Shortwave opened in Columbia, Missouri in 2014, and the only other cafe

ing will happen sometime in the near future, in addition to an expansion of hours. For more information, follow @shortwavecoffee Instagram.

St. Pete’s Chief’s Creole Cafe expands hours and adds vegan options

A St. Pete staple is experiencing a few new changes, including extended hours and

Elihu and Carolyn Brayboy opened the southside restaurant in 2014 in honor of his late mother, Mary Brayboy. Chief’s is one of the most popular eateries in St. Pete’s historic Deuces district. According to the Weekly Challenger, the Brayboys own multiple properties throughout the district and have worked towards revitalizing the historic neighborhood, which was once the “epicenter of the Black community during the days of segregation.”

Chief’s Creole Cafe is open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and is closed on Mondays. Reservations are recommended but not required.

TACO ‘BOUT IT: The newly-reopened Acapulco Taqueria now offers online ordering.

continued from page 27

Tampa’s first drive-thru Chipotle is now open Gone are the days of getting out of your car, and burning a few calories walking through a parking lot to retrieve a burrito bowl. Tampa’s first Chipotle with a drive-thru opened last week at 8301 N Dale Mabry Hwy. The “Chipotlane,” is a little different than a standard drive-thru, however, and doesn’t actually allow guests to just pull up and place an order. Instead, the pick-up window is reserved for online orders through the Chipotle website or the mobile app. Chipotle first started toying with the idea of “Chipotlanes” back in 2017, and opened Florida’s first one in Orlando in 2019. Florida is now home to over 25 “Chipotlanes,” but this location is the first in Tampa. According to the website, the next nearest Chipotlane locations are in Zephyrhills, Odessa and Ellenton. —Min Craig

and honey-roasted peanut butter. The rest of its menu is filled with smoothies like the “Superfruit”—complete with acai, strawberry, banana, blueberry and apple juice— and coldpressed juices like the “Defender,” made of orange, carrot, lemon, apple and tumeric. Prices for its various breakfast and lunch options will range from $8-$15.

St. Petersburg’s Mixers at Old Key West Bar & Grill is for sale

If you’ve ever partied at St. Pete Pride, then chances are you’ve drunkenly stumbled into this downtown staple. But right now it’s unclear if Mixers at Old Key West Bar & Grill will make it to next year’s celebration, because the popular late-night spot—located at 2451 Central Ave.—is currently up for sale. A listing on loopnet.com for the Central Avenue space popped up last week and states that all furniture, fixtures and equipment comes with the purchase of the turn-key bar and restaurant.The 3,420 square-foot space is listed for $649,000.

sold. Ellis and Martz acquired the downtown St. Pete gem in 2021 according to Patch, and upgraded the Old Florida-style watering hole into a modern, late-night hangout. When the remodeling took place last year, all of the original bar’s decorations and knick knacks were auctioned off. Although its current owners recently refurbished the bar and restaurant, Mixers at Old Key West has maintained its reputation as an inclusive and welcoming space for all walks of life, especially LGBTQ+ folks.

St.

Brewing is closing at the end of the year

If you’re looking for all-you-can-drink beers to celebrate the new year, Avid Brewing’s closing party has you covered. Avid—located at 1745 1st Ave. S—is closing its doors at the end of this year. The brewery is hosting a Grand Closing New Year’s Eve Bash to celebrate the end of an era, beginning Dec. 31st at 1 p.m. Since the storefront is shutting its doors, $20 all-you-candrink beer will be on sale during the event, so you can help the store drain its taps.

Avid Brewing began as a storefront for home brewing supplies over 10 years ago, and opened its taproom in 2018. According to ILoveTheBurg, many other businesses on the block in Grand Central are being uprooted as well as a new development project steps in. Live bands for the New Years bash include Low Season, Someattics and Ben Rodgers, and other musical features will soon be announced on Avid Brewing’s Facebook page. Avid Brewing has not yet announced plans to open another location.—MC

New gourmet toast and juice bar, Toastique, coming to Water Street Tampa

From burgers to artisan ice cream and highend Japanese food, the ever-growing Water Street Tampa development is known for its wide variety of eats. Its latest concept, Toastique, will soon be downtown Tampa’s go-to spot for gourmet toasts, juices, smoothies, espresso and more. Last week, Strategic Property Partners announced the addition of Toastique to its downtown Tampa hotspot, slated to debut in early 2023. When the new gourmet toast spot opens at 1011 E Cumberland Ave. next year, it will be Tampa Bay’s very first Toastique location.

Known for its healthy breakfasts and grabn-go options, Toastique boasts a menu full of loaded toasts topped with proteins like smoked salmon, Italian meats, sundried tomato tuna

The Washington D.C.-based franchise was founded by former college athlete Brianna Keefe in 2018, after she realized that nutritious and energizing meals were vital for her fast-paced lifestyle. Currently, the only Toastique storefront in Florida resides in the greater Orlando area. But according to its website, there’s another Toastique heading to Sarasota, in addition to 11 other upcoming locations across the country. Toastique joins the ranks of other highly-anticipated eateries heading to Water Street Tampa, including Proper House Group’s Ash, upscale Mediterranean restaurant Predalina and French bistro Boulon Brasserie. For more information on Toastique and next year’s grand opening, head to waterstreettampa. com or follow @toastique on Instagram.

“Either buy the existing business and continue to run it, or bring your concept and plug it in to the existing bones to save months and months of permitting time, construction costs and headache on the way to deploying your new concept,” its listing reads. On social media, the owners, Crystal Ellis and Haley Martz, addressed the tentative sale, saying “It’s bittersweet but time for new adventures.” They added that they’ll host a huge farewell celebration when the bar and restaurant is eventually

Mixers at Old Key West joins the ranks of other old school St. Pete institutions that are for sale, including the iconic Kissin’ Cuzzins diner and Munch’s Restaurant & Sundries. Mixers’ neighbor in the Grand Central District, the LGBTQ-owned Punky’s Bar and Grill, sold to new owners earlier this year; the former gay hotspot is now a newly-opened cigar lounge and bar called 31 Grand. Head on down to Mixers before it’s sold, and enjoy a variety of daily food and drink specials, like discounted tequila on Tuesdays, BOGO cocktails on Wednesdays, and all-you-candrink bloody marys and mimosas for weekend brunch.

Petersburg’s Avid

MIXED EMOTIONS: A Central Avenue mainstay is now for sale.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BIG STORM BREWING CO. Multiple locations, bigstormbrewery.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MOTORWORKS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

End of the road

Tampa’s legendary Joe Haskins Bicycle Shop closes this weekend.

By Ray Roa

Joe Haskins was extremely proud of his name. So much so that in his youth, he wrote “Joe H” on the back of his garage. When his childhood home sold, new owners cut that piece of wood out, mounted it, and brought it to the bike shop that Haskins bought from his uncle, Anthony Arduengo, in 1960. “They thought he might want to have it,” Michelle Calonge-Haskins, Joe’s wife, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.

The spot was called “Tampa Cycle Company” back then. Reporter Paul Guzzo says the shop moved from downtown to Franklin Street, and then to Tampa Street, before finally landing in the Heights. Haskins waited about 20 years after buying the shop to rename it.

his tune, and offered her what her late husband wanted. That started the ball rolling on the retirement plans. Calonge-Haskins declined to share the final selling price, but did say the owner, “needs the parking lot for his businesses across the street, and I believe he’s going to rent the building out.”

LOCAL NEWS

The business has been around in one form or another since at least 1916, making it a contender for one of the oldest continuously operated businesses in the City of Tampa. For as long as the Haskins name has been on it, the shop’s had a reputation for serving the kind of working class cyclists who use their bikes as their main mode of transportation between where they lay their heads and where they make money to put food on the table.

Since what feels like forever, Haskins’ name has been a fixture at the corner of Florida and Columbus Avenues—but that changes this weekend. Beneath the “Joe Haskins Bicycle Shop” sign located at 2310 N Florida Ave. is another that thanks the community, which it served for 62 years.

“The time has come for us to retire,” it adds. On social media, the shop says its last day is Dec. 17.

The closure comes less than two years after Haskins himself died at age 79. When he passed in 2021, Calonge-Haskins said that the idea of selling the building came up after her husband became ill, but that he didn’t want the building to be turned into anything but a bike shop. “We intend to honor that wish,” she added.

But last week, she elaborated and said that before his death, Haskins did talk about selling the building to the owner of the building across the street.

“The gentleman did not want to give Joe what he wanted for the property,” she told CL. After Haskins’ passing, the gentleman changed

No one is sure what will eventually happen with the property, but Calonge-Haskins is very clear that her husband, who she married in 2012 after being a longtime customer and then parttime employee of his, would want her to retire. In fact, he was in the process of doing the same before he passed. On the day he died, Calonge-Haskins was at the shop, but left to see him at the hospital. “He had a heart attack and died right there in my arms,” she said.

“I just feel that if we would have done this earlier, we might’ve had more time together,” Calonge-Haskins said, adding that her husband might have also wanted out as bicycles start

becoming more electronic than ever before. “I think he would be happy with this decision.”

Moreover, since Haskins’ death, CalongeHaskins’ daughter, Brittany Calonge, has been running the business and making repairs. The only way she can really stay away from the front desk is if Calonge-Haskins comes in to help greet customers. That’s not an option, especially as Calonge-Haskins continues to get treatment for Degos, a rare arterial disorder that restricts the flow of blood to affected areas. Brittany, Michelle said, is contemplating looking for a job that might include benefits, maybe even weekends and holidays off.

“We can’t do that as a small business. People don’t understand, we’re not Walmart—I don’t have six other employees lined up,” CalongeHaskins explained. She did say that many of her regular customers are wondering what Brittany will do next.

“I’ve had people say that they will follow her wherever she goes,” she said. “If she decides to stay in the bicycle business, anybody that hires her is going to get a ton of customers.”

Since making the closing announcement in mid-November, Calonge-Haskins has spent more time in the shop, helping move the last of the inventory and saying goodbye to customers. “I’ve seen three grown men cry in the last

month. We’ve got several customers that are not taking this well at all,” she said.

Undoubtedly, many of those customers have told stories about Haskins, something that’s happened daily, more or less every hour, since his passing two years ago. Calonge-Haskins doesn’t have the right words to explain it, but admitted that at times, it can be hard to have constant reminders of her husband.

“I mean, when I come home I love the reminders. I have pictures everywhere, but at the shop, you’re helping people, and you’re trying to picture Joe doing this or that—it puts a smile on your face, then you’re also sad,” she said. “Brittany is there all day long. She loves to hear the stories, and when customers go out, we talk about the stories, but walking in that building for both of us is kind of sad.”

That aforementioned plaque with Joe’s name on it now hangs in Calonge-Haskins’ bedroom; the chainlink fence outside her Lutz home also features the letters “JH.”

If the “Joe Haskins Bicycle Shop” sign does eventually go down, Tampa will have one less reminder of a man who kept the city moving forward. Even so, the name and legacy of a family that kept Tampa’s blue collar bicyclists on the road for more than six decades won’t fade soon—even if this really is the end of the road.

MOVIES THEATER ART CULTURE

“I think he would be happy with this decision.”

ALL LOVE: The scene outside Haskins’ shop after a 2021 memorial ride.

JAMES LUEDDE

Bouncing back

IAAPA Expo showcases optimism around theme park industry.

By Chelsea Zukowski

Nearly three years into a pandemic that may feel over but isn’t quite, the attractions industry is not only surviving but thriving. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, theme park business around the world came to a grinding halt. Parks were closed without word about when they would reopen, and many inprogress projects were put on hold as everyone was told to stay home and keep away from one another.

usually did kind of on your own. But more and more of those activities actually now are racing or something where you can watch the people on the slide next to you; see who is faster.”

“Also, when you think about all those social activities in gaming places, something like Top Golf…those things are really, really booming right now.”

LOCAL NEWS

Thousands of jobs were lost and revenues at all the major players in the industry fell to historic lows. Even when parks did reopen, they did so with slashed capacity, temperature checks, and mask requirements.

While the pandemic has had lasting effects on the industry, much of the world’s major theme parks and attractions have since reopened and rebounded in surprising ways. Many of those success stories and future-looking optimism was on display at this year’s IAAPA Expo, which took over the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando the week before Thanksgiving.

“The market has bounced back; people are keen on having fun again and going out and enjoying attractions,” said Jacob Wahl, incoming CEO of IAAPA. “And that is also what we see…at the tradeshow—buyers from all across the world who are interested in the most recent products and innovations to really try to…cater to those changed needs and entertain our guests.”

“I think all kinds of different attractions have seen a rebound. But it’s not only amusement parks and theme parks and FECs (family entertainment centers), it’s also cinemas, it’s shopping malls, it’s ski stations, it’s camping and camping resorts.”

At the expo, companies and creators from around the world showed off their latest and greatest rides, experiences, and technology to use in theme parks, arcades, family entertainment centers, outdoor attractions, and yes, even at malls, hotels and campgrounds.

Some of the biggest reveals at this year’s IAAPA Expo include the ride vehicles for SeaWorld Orlando’s new Pipeline: The Surf Coaster and Dollywood’s Big Bear Mountain coaster in Tennessee—both expected to open next year.

Beyond roller coasters, some of the biggest trends in the industry—seen in many of the booths at IAAPA—are virtual reality, IP franchises (intellectual property), and the fusion of classic entertainment and games with new tech.

“What I think we see is what we call ‘social gamification,’” Wahl said during the Expo. “If we think back 10-15 years, a waterslide, you

Wahl said the industry is also full of the “rejuvenation” of classic games and concepts like bowling, mini golf, and arcades by combining them with new and interactive technology. He noted the success of Puttshack, an indoor mini golf and entertainment center that uses computer chips inside golf balls to keep track of your score.

“You can go there with friends and with your family—bowling, mini golf, those things, and I think that will always exist,” he said. “Despite all those new trends (like) virtual reality, I think there’s a space for everything because it complements the other. While virtual reality allows you to be in fantasy worlds, it’s great to see your friends… throwing the bowling ball and make a strike.”

With Florida, and Orlando in particular, being the theme park epicenter of the world,

it’s no surprise that IAAPA Expo has been full of Sunshine State-based businesses, including a few from the Tampa Bay area.

One such company is U.S. Design Lab, an entertainment design firm with headquarters in Tampa just northeast of Ybor City. It specializes in master planning, branding, revitalizing and marketing bowling and family entertainment centers around the country. In Florida, it helped bring to life an Xtreme Action Park and an Arena Roller Skating Rink—both in Fort Lauderdale. And soon, Tampa’s Citrus Park Mall will be home to an Elev8 Fun complex in the former Sears building.

“It’s taking the entertainment center concept and just taking it to an entirely different level,” said Gary Smith, co-owner of U.S. Design Lab. “Kind of like an enormous entertainment mall.”

Elev8 Fun is based in Sanford, also where its first location resides. The Tampa location will mimic what’s inside Sanford, including go-karts, laser tag, ax throwing, bowling, a virtual reality experience called Omni Arena, video games, blacklight mini-golf and full service kitchens and bars.

Elev8 Fun’s Director of Operations Keith Baldwin said that’s all part of phase one. For phase two, they’re planning to turn a former loading dock at the mall into a beer garden.

“Our locations are going after the suburban families and bringing entertainment back to the local malls,” Baldwin said. “Our strategy has been to acquire the real estate as well as enhancing the locations with entertainment. And then the malls have been very, very welcoming.”

Baldwin said Tampa’s Elev8 Fun center is slated to open in spring 2023.

As designers of some of these spaces, Smith and U.S. Design Lab founder Michele “Mik” Oca said they’ve been seeing industry evolutions for years now—especially with the demand for nostalgic entertainment and returning attractions amid the pandemic.

“It’s different entertainment inside one facility that makes everyone happy; everything is integrated,” Oca said. “We create these places where you can play one hour of bowling and then stay with your family and have a nice dinner, and then play some games.”

After roughly two years of many people staying at home amid COVID-19 concerns, Smith said his industry has seen a surge in families and younger generations putting “a really high priority on entertainment and social entertainment, especially.”

“Sure, they could do their own VR at home or play on their game systems. But again, people want to get out, and entertainment is a much higher priority,” he said.

HOMEGROWN: Ybor-based U.S. Design Lab is bringing an Elev8 Fun concept to Citrus Park.

CHELSEA ZUKOWSKI

“The attractions industry is not only surviving but thriving.”

This exhibition was organized by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. "Celebrating 48 years of Love and Fashion in the Heart of Ybor City" Specializing in Men and Women's vintage & vintage-inspired finery Clothing - Hats Jewelry - Accessories Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @lafranceybor Open Everyday 12-7pm

Guess who’s back

‘Violent Night’ is the goofy cult classic you didn’t know you needed.

By John W. Allman

Just so we’re clear: “Violent Night” is one of the most stupid movies you’re likely to love in your lifetime. And it doesn’t give two craps about all the ginormous plot holes that will drive you to drink if you waste any thought trying to make sense of them.

That said, “Violent Night” is a glorious return to form for Norwegian director Tommy Wirkola, whose “Dead Snow” and “Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead” remain the gold standard for Nazi zombie gorefests. It’s also a huge makeup kiss from star David Harbour (“Stranger Things”) for the abysmal redo of “Hellboy” that he toplined back in 2019.

Harbour is absolutely perfect for the role of an angry, disillusioned and alcoholsoaked Santa Claus on the cusp of an identity crisis so deep that he’s considering sending the reindeer to pasture permanently and canceling Christmas forever more.

Jason (Alex Hassell), his ex-wife Linda (Alexis Louder) and their daughter Trudy (Leah Brady).

Trudy still believes in Santa, and when the Lightstone clan is taken hostage by a marauding band of thieves led by Scrooge (John Leguizamo), it’s Trudy’s faith in the holiday spirit that sobers Santa up and kicks him into action.

Again, I feel compelled to remind you that “Violent Night” is ridiculous fun. This is a movie that pays homage to both “Die Hard” and “Home Alone” with sequences that are so insane and bloody and dumb that you will be howling with laughter and cheering in the theater.

FILM & TV

What’s got him so angry? Oh, you know, just the fact that kids today are basically spoiled bastard spawn who only want cash or video games and no longer believe in the miracle of Yuletide.

To that end, the filthy-rich and soulless Lightstone clan might not make for the most sympathetic source of inspiration. This is a family that lives in fear of its uber-powerful matriarch Gertrude (Beverly D’Angelo in fantastic and filthy form) even as they jockey constantly for top billing. The pathetic brood includes Alva (Edi Patterson), the only daughter, along with her D-list action movie star boyfriend Morgan Steel (Cam Gigandet), and her influencer son Bertrude (Alexander Elliot). On the flip side is only son

This is a movie that spends an inordinate amount of time showing Santa get piss-house drunk and urinate and vomit on people from his sleigh. A movie that flashes back to Santa’s origins just long enough to tease that he was a bloodthirsty Viking named Nicomond the Red who brained a lot of enemies with his trusty hammer, Skullcrusher, before being transformed into lovable old Saint Nick.

Years from now, there will be a “Violent Night” drinking game based on the icicles, candy canes, stars and tinsel used to maim and kill throughout.

It has been way too long since I left a movie theater grinning from ear to ear, but “Violent Night” is exactly the goofy balm we need right now to help us push aside the anger and division that have become our norm.

It’s an instant cult classic that demands to be seen in a crowded theater with other likeminded souls who love a bloody good time that’s as dumb as it is endearing.

Deck the halls

Bucket list holiday activities in Tampa Bay.

By CL Staff

It may not snow in Tampa Bay, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have plenty of yuletide cheer. Here are a few can’t-miss holiday events, including light shows, Christmas markets, bar pop-ups, and even a few opportunities to toss some snow balls.

Busch Gardens Christmas Town Hop aboard the Holly Jolly Express train at Busch Gardens Christmas Town and sing along to your favorite holiday tunes while you have views of giraffes, rhinos and zebras. While you’re there you can meet Rudolph and Santa as well as his elves while they’re hard at work in his workshop. There will be plenty of shows and live entertainment, and tickets start at $99.99. 10165 McKinley Dr., Tampa. Through Jan. 9. buschgardens.com

Christmas in the Wild Boasting one of Tampa Bay’s biggest light displays, ZooTampa provides a unique holiday experience featuring wildlife in addition to more traditional festivities, such as visits with Santa and holiday shows and entertainment. Food and drink will also be available, and tickets start at $29.95 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa. Through Dec. 30. zootampa.org Chick-Fil-A’s Light Display Chick-Fil-A’s light display is returning this year, 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. 6299 W Waters Ave.,Tampa. Through Dec. 31. @cfawaters on Facebook

Christmas Lane at Florida Strawberry Festival Christmas Lane features over 1.5 million Christmas lights, as well as over 200 trees. There’s a light maze, nightly entertainment (including Fritzy the One Man Circus on select nights), visits from Santa, and a KidZone for the little ones that includes face painting and DIY ornament decorating. Tickets start at $5 for kids and $8 for adults, and parking is free. 2508 W Oak Ave., Plant City. Through Dec. 24. christmaslane.com

HOLIDAY GUIDE

Enchant Christmas Featuring a 100-foot-tall lighted Christmas tree, Enchant presents a holiday event you can get lost in. Tropicana Field is transformed into a decorated story-themed maze where you can enjoy the lights while embarking on a mission to help Santa save Christmas by keeping an eye out for pieces of his broken Magic Timepiece along the way. Find all of the pieces for a chance to win a prize at the end of your visit. The event will also feature ice

skating, snacks, activities for kids and cocktails for adults. Tickets range from $20-$30. Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Through Jan. 1. enchantchristmas.com

Gallagher’s Christmas Trees The perfect one-stop-shop for Christmas trees the holiday season. This year, the shop celebrates 35 years of business and continues to offer free entry and parking, as well both professional and amateur photo opportunities. After you pick out your favorite tree, be sure to browse the poinsettias and handmade wreaths. 7401 4th St. N, Saint Petersburg. @gallagherspumpkinsandchristmastrees on Facebook

Holidays at Legoland With general admission tickets starting at $84, Legoland is currently offering a holiday experience featuring a Lego Christmas tree decorated with lights, as well as seasonal shows, an interactive character crew, visits from Santa and access to the theme park. 1 Legoland Way., Winter Haven. Dec. 18-19, 24-31. legoland.com

BIRDS OF A FEATHER: Waddle over to ‘Christmas In the Wild’ at ZooTampa

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

North Pole Express at Florida Railroad Museum What is Christmas without trains? Hop aboard the North Pole Express to enjoy a ride from Parrish to the North Pole. Once you get there, you’ll be greeted by Santa, and have the opportunity to enjoy campfires, activities and entertainment, as well as hot chocolate and cookies which are included with your train ticket. Ticket prices vary depending on date and departure time, but you can get them from $32 and up. 12210 83rd St. E, Parrish. Through Dec. 21 frrm.org

Pirate Water Taxi River of Lights The Pirate Taxi will be cruising around providing views of holiday decorations along the water in downtown Tampa. There will be holiday displays, sing-a-longs, cookies and hot chocolate and a snow flurry finale. Tickets start at $25 for kids and $30 for adults, and children will receive a holiday gift during the ride. 333 S Franklin St., Tampa. Through Dec. 24. piratewatertaxi.com

Raprager Family Farm and Christmas Extravaganza This holiday themed festival has plenty of festive activities to keep you in the Christmas spirit. From decor and visits from Santa, to its very own grouchy green holiday hater, Mr. Grunch (yes, you read that right), to ax throwing, which is new this year. There will also be a corn pit, a sweet shop, Christmas town, Santa’s workshop, and for an extra charge you can partake in pony rides, face painting and gem mining. The cheapest way to buy tickets is online, starting at $14.95. 16907 Boy Scout Rd., Odessa. Dec. 16-18, 21-23. rapragerfamilyfarms.com

Santa and Snow Fest at St. Pete’s North Straub Park Snowfest returns to St. Pete this December, and will feature toboggan slides, arts and crafts, food trucks and more. Guests are required to purchase a $5 wrist band in order to participate. North Straub Park is also welcoming back Santa Claus himself, and he’ll be sitting in his rocking chair awaiting family photo opportunities, so don’t forget to bring a camera. 400 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. Weekends in December. stpeteparksrec.org

Snowcat Ridge Snowcat Ridge returns this year with Snowy Slopes, a 60-foot-tall, 400-foot-long snow tubing hill featuring single, tandem and 10 person tubes. There is also the Arctic Igloo, with a play area, snowball fights and a Bunny Slope ride for children 3 years and under, and the Crystal Ribbon, the park’s own lighted ice skating rink. Parties can rent out private igloos with fire pits and refreshments, and guests can do some holiday shopping at the

Alpine Village while sipping hot chocolate and roasting smores. Ticket prices vary depending on date. 27839 St Joe Rd., Dade City. Dec. 15-16, 20-22, 27-29, Feb. 3-5, 10-12, 17-20, 24-26. snowcatridge.com

Winter Beach at St. Pete Pier The St. Pete Pier is bringing back its annual Winter Beach event, including a winter market, ice skating and activities such as meetups with Santa and his elves, snow days, photobooths, tree lighting, arcades and themed nights such as pride night, Tik Tok Tuesdays, and glow skate. Tickets to skate start at $17. 600 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. Through Jan. 17. @winterwonderlandclearwater on Facebook

HOLIDAY GUIDE

Winter Wonderland Clearwater For nearly three decades, Clearwater Community Volunteers have hosted Winter Wonderland Clearwater, a festive charity event that benefits the children of Pinellas County. Admission is free, but guests are asked to donate gifts/ non-perishable goods, in exchange for the opportunity to enjoy activities such as a visit from Santa, cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus, a holiday train and a hot chocolate shop. Although it doesn’t cost anything to get in, be sure to bring some cash for food, drinks and rides. 201 N Fort Harrison Ave. Clearwater. Through Dec. 23. @winterwonderlandclearwater on Facebook

Winter Wonder Wharf at Sparkman Wharf Sparkman Wharf has transformed into a holiday-themed hub this Christmas season. On Dec. 3, a free Holiday Remix Singalong will be taking place in the Sparkman Wharf Lawn, followed by a free, all ages comedy show on Dec. 10 featuring live entertainment and photo-ops.

On Dec. 17, a family oriented Christmas caroling event will be taking place at the wharf, so the whole family can sing along and enjoy singing along as well as activities and live entertainment. 615 Channelside Dr, Tampa. Dec. 17. sparkmanwharf.com

Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park

Curtis Hixon Park is hosting a Chritstmasthemed funzone, including ice skating, shops, a cafe, curling tournaments, and the Winter Village Express train that takes you on a joy ride throughout Tampa featuring snacks, trivia and singalongs. Park entry is free, but activities and snacks are not. 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa. Through Jan. 4. wintervillagetampa.com

The Wonderland of Lights & America’s Christmas Village Drive through a mile-long decorated Christmas light path on your way into America’s Christmas Village. Be sure to meet up with Santa, enjoy festive foods, and play some games while you’re there. Tickets to drive-through-only cost $20 per car, and to include America’s Christmas Village, they start at $25. 1052 U.S. Hwy-92, Auburndale. Through Dec. 25. thewonderlandoflights.com

Visit a holiday pop-up bar Miracle, a holiday pop-up cocktail bar company is hosting two events in the Bay this holiday season at Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails in downtown St. Pete, and at Strandhill Public in Tampa Heights. The bars will feature festive-themed cocktails, such as the “Christmapolitan” and the “Jingle Balls Nog”. Over in Dunedin at the Honu Restaurant and Tiki Bar, the Sippin’ Santa holiday popup will be taking place. Festive drinks will include “Island of Misfit Toys” and “Rudolph’s Rum Rhapsody.” Multiple locations. Through New Year’s Eve.

DO AS I SLEIGH: Hop on a trolley to get to Water Street’s holiday display.

Bowzer’s Holiday Party

w/Jon Bauman/Peter Noone/Gary U.S. Bonds/ more. Saturday, Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. $41.75 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall. 1111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater. rutheckerdhall.com

MUSIC WEEK

Word is Bond

A ‘60s pop favorite clears up Beatles rumors, more.

By Josh Bradley

There aren’t many musicians left that can say that they released material when John F. Kennedy was president. Willie Nelson and Buddy Guy, both on the flip side of their ‘80s, are both still kickin’ it in the studio and on tour. And Chubby Checker still does the Twist sporadically on ‘60s nostalgia tours, but not too much of anything further. In the case of honorary Jersey boy Gary U.S. Bonds, legend once had it—thanks to a manager—that The Beatles opened for him on a 1963 tour of Europe. But alas, the 83-year-old is pretty sure that the biggest band in the world never actually warmed his crowds up, mainly because no one can remember who it was.

“Hopefully it wasn’t them, because we fired them the first week we were out there,” Bonds told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay during a recent phone call. One thing that Bonds can confirm, though, is that while his pals Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are on the road in the coming months, he’ll be finalizing not one, but three new studio albums, all created during COVID-19. He absolutely refused to leave his house in New York during the lockdowns, and he used the hell out of his basement studio to record new material, including a few videos, even having sent some material to E Street’s Steven Van Zandt for musical approval.

Now that restrictions have loosened up and touring is safe again, he’s joining Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits, Joey Dee, and Dennis Tufano of The Buckinghams for an annual holiday-themed shindig hosted by Jon “Bowzer” Bauman of Sha Na Na. See an abridged Q&A below and the full chat via cltampa.com/music.

Your upcoming appearance in Clearwater is a Christmas gig that Bowzer from Sha Na Na does every year, and this is not the first time that you’re performing at one of these shows. How far back do you two go?

Yeah, oh, God. I met John [Bowzer] back when they had the TV show. That was when I first met him. I don’t know if you remember them having a TV show back in the day.

Oh man, so before “Grease” came out, huh?

Oh, hell yeah. That was before bacon!

Haha, that’s awesome. Do you think you’ll play any songs from your Christmas Is On album, or are you gonna stick to the hits?

I’m not quite sure. I think we’re just gonna stick with the hits, mainly because I think Bowzer wants me to pick a set of minutes to do, and I got quite a few hits, so I have to fit in as much as I can. You know, “New Orleans,” and “Quarter To Three,” and “School Is Out” as much as I can.

How did you spend your time during the COVID lockdowns?

I stayed right here in the house. I wouldn’t leave for anything. I really enjoyed the house, and had a lot of things I had to do in here. I spent most of my time down in the basement in the studio. In fact, we recorded…oh, God, we must have recorded at least three albums down there. And none of the band came here, we did it all via digital, you know? They had all their setups at their houses, and I had the main setup here. I’d send them a track, they’d play on it, and then they’d send it back, I’d mix it down here, and voila.

In 1963, on a tour of Europe, The Beatles opened for you. How in the world did that happen?

You know, that’s a funny thing, because I don’t know if that’s true. I think my ex-manager put that story out, who is no longer with us. But I don’t think they were the Beatles, I really don’t. I think they were a group called the Flec-Tones or something like that. Because I came back, and I didn’t know who it was. They asked us “who backed you up,” and my manager told me “tell them it was the Beatles.” I thought “OK,” I didn’t know who it was, it was just a band. But I think that’s how that story got started. Anyway, hopefully it wasn’t them, because we fired them the first week we were out there. *laughs*

Ooh. Kinda reminds you of when Jimi Hendrix opened for The Monkees, huh?

Yeah, right? Yeah, we fired them, but I think,

who was it? I think Brian Hyland was with me, and Gene McDaniels was on that tour. It was the three of us. So, when we got back to London, we decided “man, this band is terrible.” So, we got rid of them, they gave us another band, and we took them out for a week. They were worse than the first guys, so we had to fire them and rehire the first band again!

It was a mess for a while. But what was happening was that that type of rock or roll just hadn’t been out long, and it really hadn’t gotten into Europe, you know? So they really didn’t know what they were trying to do. They didn’t have a clue because they had never done it before. So I’ll don’t hold that against them now, but during the days

when were there, we were like “nah, these guys are no good.” I think they made it out OK, though.

Oh yeah. Now, one guy I know for sure that you worked with was Sam Cooke. Got any stories about that?

Sam turned out to be one of my dearest friends, and kind of taught me a lot about the music business, when I had a chance to just ride in a tour bus with him. He told me what was going on, because he had been out for years with the Soul Stirrers, the gospel group. He kinda knew the ropes around, so he really helped me out and pushed some information into my brain that helps me a lot today.

SCHOOL IS OUT: Gary U.S. Bonds joins the Bowzer holiday party for the first time ever.

“They asked who backed us up, and my manager said, ‘tell them it was the Beatles.’”

FRI 16

93.3 Jingle Ball: Backstreet Boys/Black Eyed Peas/Big Time Rush/Cheat Codes/ Tate McRae/Ava Max/Jax/Nicky Youre

This holiday season, iHeartRadio is bringing something for the olds and something for the youths. A dollar from every ticket purchased goes to the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, with a percentage of all tickets sold is also being donated to Florida Disaster Relief. (Amalie Arena, Tampa)—Min Craig

Gene Farris There’s no shortage of Chicago house music icons, but Farris just resurrected his label Farris Wheel Limited. If names like Roomsa and Lowend make your ears perk up, then you might want to cancel your plans on Saturday morning so you can spend your Friday night partying at this newish Ybor City dance music honey hole. (PTL, Ybor City)

Guavatron w/Tropico Blvd./Minim A local gig from this West Palm Beach electronic jam band is never a shock, but this gig is the Guavatron’s last local stop for the year, before playing a New Year’s Eve gig in Jacksonville. The outfit loves randomly popping up at music festivals, so don’t be too surprised if you see it on a lineup next spring. (Floridian Social Club, St. Petersburg)

Jake Blount If Carolina Chocolate Drops’

Don Flemmons is a Black music historian for fans of Smithsonian Folkways, then Jake Blount is the artist-activist-firebrand for music fans who’re also members of the local

Democratic Socialists of America branch. Woven into songs from his new album, The New Faith , are a couple generations’ worth of oppression and suffering that have long been a hallmark of the Black experience in the U.S. Yes there are touches of anger and resentment, but they are far from the focus of his fiddle-driven Afrofuturistic folk, all radicallyarranged in a way that turns the genre on its head. If Sister Rosetta Tharpe or Blind Willie McTell were alive today, they would definitely ask Blount to open their shows. (The Attic at Rock Brothers Brewing, Ybor City)

Roxx Revolt & The Velvets w/Summer Hoop/Discord Theory/Pandapaws After spending 2021 opening for 97X NBT, and performing on Melissa Etheridge’s cruise, Summer Hoop—formerly of SickHot—took 2022 by storm, dropping singles “Bottom” and “Our Own Sins,” and co-headlining gigs with her former band. We’re not sure if the former means that she’ll soon be dropping a long-awaited studio album or EP, but in the meantime, she performs in between glamrock favorite Roxx Revolt & The Velvets and Discord Theory before winding down for the holidays. (Crowbar, Ybor City)

SAT 17

Dean Johanesen & Mark Pezzo There are certain talents to whom all the best local players flock. Old-timey songwriter Dean Johanesen is one of them. While the look and sound from some of his stuff comes from the Prohibition era, it’ll be interesting to see how much of a new album (due February) he previews at this gig where we hope at least one of the guests on the record (Rob Pastore, Dan DeGregory, James Suggs, Rebecca Zapen are

just a few) show up to help out. Johansen’s fellow 24 Hour man Mark Pezzo joins him onstage. (Hooch and Hive, Tampa)

Goodie Mob w/Sam E Hues/DJ Casper Postponed from October, this gig finds a legend of Southern hip-hop rolling into Cigar City supporting a newish album (Survival Kit , 2020). Of note is that the Mob features its founding members: Big Gipp, Khujo and T-Mo, plus the controversial Cee Lo Green. Expect new shit, plus a lot of Soul Food , too. (The Ritz, Ybor City)

Mike 2wice w/T.O/Keezie Free/BME Quiz/ Telicia Da Poet/DJ Spaceship Local realtor Keith Walker has been dealing with kidney problems lately, but friends in the local hiphop scene have his back. Attendees are invited to wear ugly holiday sweaters—no matter how hot it is—and enjoy live music from the likes of Mike 2wice, Keezie Free, and Telicia Da Poet, as well as the presence of semi-retired Raiders cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. It’s gonna be a late one, but know that what you pay to get in gos directly to Walker’s kidney transplant. (Crowbar, Ybor City)

The Lee Boys A lot of people talk about baby Jesus this time of the year, but if you really want to go to church, The Lee Boys can help. True disciples of gospel, the sacred steel ensemble is bonafide Florida blues royalty and famous for mixing a whole lot of funk and a hint of rock and roll into its sets.

Percussionist Melody Trucks (yes, daughter of legendary Allman Brothers drummer Butch) joins the Boys for this one where the tone coming off the Carter steel guitar will be all you need to stay warm. (The Attic at Rock Brothers Brewing, Ybor City)

By Josh Bradley & Ray Roa

C CL Recommends

TADIN BROWN

Pusha Preme Proceeds from this show benefit Clothes to Kids, a foundation that provides new and lightly used clothing to less fortunate children. To make Pusha Preme’s appearance at the event even cooler, the masked local emcee will not only perform, but debut a new music video for “Adam & Eve (Remastered),” and even drop new merchandise. Food will be provided by Simple Mexican Grill, and if you wear a Santa hat, you get a free drink. Don’t forget that ugly ass sweater, either. (Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel, Tampa)

Thievery Corporation w/Emancipator Rob Garza and Eric Hilton have been defying the norms of standard electronic music since their first album together in 1996. Their material under the Thievery Corporation moniker from that point on has merged Middle Eastern styles with jazz, hip-hop with reggae, and even some sitar along the way. When the band’s semi-annual Bay area appearance is over, I can’t recommend listening to “Lebanese Blonde” enough while driving home. Its upbeat, yet relaxing tempo and smooth vocals make it a perfect end to an electric night. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)

Xscape w/Bell Biv DeVoe/Dru Hill/ Tamar Braxton/112/H-Town/Next How deep is your love for ‘90s R&B? If it makes you run into the arms of the one who loves you, then you’ll want to be in downtown Tampa this weekend where bands like Xscape, Bell Biv Devoe and Dru Hill are turning Channelside Drive into the softest place on earth. Bad Boy icon 112 (“Cupid,” “Anywhere”) is part of the action along with “Too Close” hitmaker Next. (Amalie Arena, Tampa)

SUN 18

A Day To Remember w/Wage War Last year, founding A Day To Remember bassist Josh Woodard quit the band in the wake of 2020 sexual assault allegations. While ADTR’s first local gig since 98Rockfest 2017 is going to be acoustic, we still can’t help but wonder who’ll take Woodard’s place once the time comes to go electric once again. It’ll sure as hell be hard to listen to the group’s latest album You’re Welcome the same ever again. (Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg)

Florida Holiday Brass If holiday music makes you horny, then you might want to get your brass to Seminole Heights where this ensemble—whose members play with the Florida and Sarasota orchestras, St. Pete Opera and elsewhere—brings its regular practice jam session out into the open all in the name of raising money for Gasparilla Music Foundation’s Recycled Tunes program, which helps refurbish instruments to put in the hands of local music education programs. (7venth Sun Brewery, Tampa)

Jadakiss w/Cris Streetz/Pusha Preme/Heavy Lyrics/Famous Kid Brick/ Crazy DJ Bazarro/more It’s the season for holiday music, but fuck that frail shit this weekend. Ol’ Dirty Sundays has always tipped the scales when it comes to its special guests, and it gives hip-hop heads one hell of a present when one of Yonkers’ hardest emcees, Jadakiss, invites ODS devotees to knock themselves out as they get walloped

by this monster bill that also features Cris Streetz, a Bronx-born rapper who’s making a name for himself while living in Tampa. One of the 813’s highest-profile rap exports, Famous Kid Brick, rounds out the bill along with Pusha Preme. Who’s bringing the trees? (Crowbar, Ybor City)

Malachi Gagnon COVID-19 might just be the best thing that ever happened to Gagnon. After only a week of strumming a guitar during lockdown, the now-15-year-old—who happens to be a Tampa resident—got up in front of his family and performed Jon Pardi’s “Ain’t Always The Cowboy.” It must have been insanely well-received, because Gagnon hasn’t stopped playing music since. His music, full of all the electronic beats common in today’s contemporary world, largely centers around heartbreak and moving on from a relationship, which is just what some of us need sometimes. Malachi’s debut EP is just around the corner, but in the meantime, he has this gig where a few unannounced special guests are supposed to show up.

(Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa)

Trans-Siberian Orchestra We’re still marveling at the fact that it’s been five years since founder Paul O’Neill died in a Tampa hotel room. And while it’s not looking like the group is calling it a day in his honor, there hasn’t been any new music released since

2015, so it’s anyone’s call if TSO is taking the legacy band route. (Amalie Arena, Tampa)

THU 22

Andy Brey’s Holiday Hootenanny Every community has musical everymen and women who quietly contribute to countless projects while bringing together all the best parts of a scene. Songwriter and geologist Andy Brey is an unsung Tampa sideman who seems to contribute to so many Americana projects while quietly playing stellar solo shows of his own. His holiday hootenanny is a chance to see Brey for the gift he is as he plucks and picks through a special strain of freaky folk-pop. This one in the New World biergarten is going to feel like a family reunion. (Biergarten at New World Brewery, Tampa)

Anthill Cinema w/Brock Butler Blueberry Patch is a long-running South Pinellas treasure, and the eclectic space opens its doors to a jam scene staple next week. Solo stuff from Perpetual Groove’s Brock Butler forgoes much of the Southern-jam vibe of his band in favor of a introspective, warm, acoustic sound that runs throughout work like his 2009 album Lately Here Though . Don’t be surprised to hear instrumentals tucked next to a Paul Simon or Flaming Lips cover at the gig where local prog-rock favorite Anthill Cinema headlines. (The Blueberry Patch, Gulfport)

Dean Spunt w/Alien House/mtvh1n1/ Afterworld L.A.-based noise rock duo No Age just dropped People Helping People its first album entirely created and produced by band members only. For such a short album, it’s a twisting, turning lo-fi masterpiece with tracks that feature no vocals or no drums. It’s another new triumph for drummer Dean Spunt, but it appears that he wants to take a little break from his pal Randy Randall, and play a trio of solo gigs. Afterworld—featuring CL staff writer and Axios local power player Justin Garcia, plus Merchandide frontman Carson Cox—is also on the bill, along with Tampa ambient duo Alien House, plus rock band Mtvh1n1. (Hooch and Hive, Tampa)

Kristopher James At this point, you’re no fan of the Tampa Bay Americana scene if you’ve never experienced the rich vocal of Kristopher James. His cover of Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas” treads into Doobie-levels of soul, and this is a chance to see the songwriter sing it, along with other of his songs, and covers, inside one of the best new (and extremely intimate) venues in downtown Tampa. Take your eyes off James for a few songs, too, and revel in the sumptuous backing laid down by drummer Tucker Sody, bassist Vinny Svaboda, keyboardist Levi Foe and the rest of the band. (Arts Club at Tampa Edition, Tampa)

Dean Spunt

COURTESY

If you need any more signs that this pandemic is over, look no further than Tampa’s Hooch and Hive on Christmas Night when revered local indie record label New Granada stages yet another Christmas Night show. Tickets to New Granada Records’ annual Christmas night concert—this year happening on Sunday, Dec. 25 at Hooch and Hive in the West River district near downtown Tampa—are on sale now and start at $12.

Headlining this year is Bay area hardcore favorite Meatwound (pictured), which features ex-members of Combatwoundedveteran. It'll be joined with devastatingly powerful instrumentalrock outfit Prescribed Fire and indie-rock band Bad Bad Things.

The return of New Granada’s annual Christmas concert is welcome since the promoter was one of the most cautious during the pandemic when it shelved the holiday tradition to keep the community safe.

Holiday Rock and Roll Supershow feat. Car Bomb Driver w/Honeyrider/Human Error/Thee Influencers/The Inhalers (Record Release Party)/Pretty Voices

Saturday, Dec. 17. 5 p.m. No cover. Cage Brewing, St. Petersburg

Jadakiss w/Cris Streetz/Pusha Preme/ Heavy Lyrics/Famous Kid Brick Sunday, Dec. 18. 9 p.m. $20. Crowbar, Ybor City

Chlorinefields w/Ortrotasce Saturday, Dec. 31. 8 p.m. Donation at door. The Nest at St. Pete Brewing Company, St. Petersburg Emo Night Tampa: Intervention w/ Menu/Spoiled Rat/P.M. Tiger Saturday, Jan. 7. 9 p.m. No cover. Crowbar, Ybor City

The Chuck Prophet Trio Wednesday, Jan. 11. 8 p.m. $20. Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa

Marcia Ball w/ Reverend Billy C Wirtz

Friday, Jan. 13. 8 p.m. $20. Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa

Southern Culture on the Skids w/The Tremolords Saturday, Jan. 14. 8 p.m. $20. Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa

Willy Porter Saturday, Jan. 14. 8 p.m. $20-$30. Side Door Cabaret at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg

Mrenc w/Riot for Romance Sunday, Jan. 22. 5 p.m. $8. Microgroove, Tampa

Perpetual Groove Thursday, Jan. 26. 7 p.m. $20. Crowbar, Ybor City

Once An Outlaw w/Harvey Dalton Saturday, Jan. 28. 8 p.m. $19.50 & up. Central Park Performing Arts Center, Largo

Pet Lizard (opening for Durry) Tuesday, Jan. 31. 8 p.m. Prices TBA. Crowbar, Ybor City

Arlie w/TBA Saturday, Feb. 4. 7 p.m. $15. Orpheum, Tampa

And if you need more locally-focused holiday concerts, mark your calendars for Friday, Dec. when Hooch and Hive hosts Brokenmold’s holiday extravaganza featuring Liam Bauman. See Josh Bradley’s latest new concert roundup below.—Ray Roa

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

Jim Messina w/Henry Gross Tuesday, Feb. 14. 8 p.m. $39-$65. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

The Supersuckers w/The Franklin County Trucking Co. Saturday, Feb. 18. 8 p.m. $17. Hooch and Hive, Tampa

Vandoliers w/Old Heavy Hands Sunday, Feb. 19. 6 p.m. $12. Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa

The Wonder Years w/Aaron West & the Roaring Twenties/Carly Cosgrove Wednesday, Feb. 22. 7 p.m. $32-$65. The Ritz, Ybor City

Stacey Ryan (opening for Jake Wesley Rogers) Friday, Feb. 24. 8 p.m. $25 & up. Crowbar, Ybor City

The Irish Tenors Monday, Feb. 27. 7:30 p.m. $50-$100. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Pablo Cruise Wednesday, March 8. 8 p.m. $29-$55. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Steel Panther w/Crobot/Tragedy Saturday, March 11. 8 p.m. $28 & up. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Fit For A King w/Northlane/Alpha Wolf/ Kingdom of Giants Wednesday, March 15. 6 p.m. $25. Orpheum, Tampa

Knuckle Puck w/Real Friends/Bearings Friday, March 17. 6:30 p.m. $25. Orpheum, Tampa

Cold w/Death Valley Dreams/Sygnal to Noise/Awake for Days/Divide the Fall Monday, April 10. 6 p.m. $25. Orpheum, Tampa

MICHAEL M. SINCLAIR

The plan

By Caroline DeBruhl

Dear Oracle, everything is fine, but I’m feeling stuck. There is something I’m looking for, but I don’t know what it is. I feel a lack of direction and am looking for guidance.—Miss

Direction

Cards: Queen of Pentacles (reversed), Ace of Swords (reversed), The Moon (reversed), The World

Dear Direction, what you need is a hunger. There’s a reason that word gets tossed around in hustle culture. People say, “You have to be hungry for it,” when they mean, “You have to want something enough.”

But hunger isn’t a want. It is a need.

To have a hunger is to have a calling, something that drives you.

The plus side of it is that it commits you to your path. Every action towards your goal takes on a devotional air. You are doing what you have to do. The downside is that hunger can leave you feeling like you never have enough, even if other parts of your life are well-fed.

The fundamental want in you right now is to be a leader in your own life. The Queen of Pentacles is a giver, generous and kind, but also someone with a plan. You may have been under the wing of a generous woman for a long time (like a mother), and while grateful, you want to break out. But to do that, you need to know who you are as a person. The Ace of Swords is a card of human complexity, of our thoughts, our personal philosophies, our ideals. You need to (and are ready to) start discovering the person you are meant to be and what that person hungers for.

To do this, you will need to journey inside of yourself. The Moon is a card of all that is hidden. It is your subconscious, yes, but it is also where you keep those thoughts you don’t want to see in the light of day. The land of the Moon is where our true desires are, lurking in the dark. There are different ways to explore the subconscious. You

can try with a psych-professional (therapist, Jungian analyst), with a spiritual leader (a shaman, a meditation teacher), or with some other unconventional ways (hypnosis, lucid dreaming.) Or you can meditate and keep a journal. But deep down, there is a need stirring. It’s why you feel restless even now when everything is “fine.” You’ll find it if you look.

It’s fitting that the last card is The World. The World is both the end of the journey and the beginning. It’s the card of the Bardo, that transitional place when one life ends and the other begins. You are going to find a life for yourself,

That might sound scary, to live with what you discover, but the alternative is worse. If you deny your hunger, that fundamental part of yourself, then it will fester inside of you and rot, and it will fill you with contempt as thick as motor oil, and you will grow bitter and furious and resentful of those you love (often your spouse and kids) until there is only hate left.

seems to be an exciting one. The Six of Cups is a dreamy card, full of child-like optimism and nostalgia, meaning you’ll probably be working with people who have wanted to be in this industry since they were kids.

ORACLE OF YBOR

It’s a common fate but one I wouldn’t wish on anyone. So whatever you discover, know that it cannot hurt more than a soul left to starve.

Dear Oracle, I’m starting out in a new industry career-wise. I have a little experience but am looking to take the plunge full-time. What

While that might sound intimidating, it actually leads to passionate co-workers keen to help each other achieve the goal. The Three of Pentacles is a harmonious card for partnerships, especially creative ones. It’s far more about collaboration than competition, which is great for a newbie because it means people will help you grow. You’ll go far if you show dedication to doing your part and play nice with others.

With The High Priestess reversed, I bet you’re a natural at your new work. You have an intuition about it, which makes you a quick study and something that (hopefully) impresses your new bosses. But being reversed, there are also things you’ve yet to learn. As the Occult Norma Rae of this paper, I’ve got to insist that you do what you can to protect yourself from exploitation. Bright young things looking to break into industries are perfect targets for nefarious bosses because they’re both talented and don’t know any better. Don’t sign contracts until you’ve read them thoroughly and looked up everything you don’t understand (or show a lawyer if you got one), talk to union reps, be active in setting boundaries. If something feels off, don’t ignore it, and certainly don’t let some asshole in a plastic office chair gaslight you.

If your industry is as friendly as the cards suggest, talk to everyone. Make connections and ask, “is this normal?” Hopefully, they can help you.

I believe that. It may look vastly different than your life now, it may be subtly different, but that new life is around the corner.

However, your new life will have to be a conscious one. You’ll have to drag out what you find in the dark and bring it into the light.

But beyond protecting your neck, this will be a wonderful new direction for you. The High Priestess is open to the world and to receive some surprising gifts. Who knows? You might find that this new industry was your calling all along. Best of luck, my dear! Send your questions to oracle@cltampa.com or DM @theyboracle on Instagram.

SIMON MOUTON/ADOBE

should I know at this time?—New Horizons

Cards: The High Priestess (reversed), Six of Cups, Three of Pentacles Dear New, congratulations on starting in a new industry! Whatever your industry is, it

Unlocked

By Dan Savage

I recently split from a committed, monogamous, extremely long-term relationship. I’m now exploring the dating scene as someone who has never dated online prior to this year. I’m a woman with kids, and I’m not looking for another parent. I want to keep things casual. I haven’t had any boyfriends yet, just a couple of regular dicks. I keep getting pissed at my regular dicks for making me feel like I’m not the most important thing in their lives, which is kind of the whole point of keeping things casual. Do you have any slutting advice?—Divorced

And Meeting People

Do I have any slutting advice? Oh, honey. There’s 30 years’ worth of advice for sluts in the archives of Savage Love and the Savage Lovecast. But here’s a little slutty advice just for you… Casual relationships are still relationships, DAMP. So, even if you’re not the most important thing in the life of some man whose dick you’re sitting on regularly—and you know it and you’re keeping your expectations and demands in check—you shouldn’t be made to feel like the least important thing in his life either. If a guy can’t be considerate, if he can’t be respectful (of your time) and grateful (for your pussy), stop sitting on that dick. Even if the dick is spectacular, DAMP, go find another seat. Because being kind to a sex partner—casual or committed, regular or irregular—is a very low bar, DAMP, and you shouldn’t put up with men who can’t be bothered to clear it.

That said, DAMP, sometimes a person needs a nudge. Some people worry a casual sex partner will mistake kindness for romantic interest and are performatively inconsiderate to avoid confusion (instead of using their words); others have actually had casual sex partners mistake kindness for romantic interest and are overcorrecting (instead of using their words). So, if one of your regular dicks is being ungrateful or unkind, use your words. Make it clear to him that you wanna keep things casual but that you expect to be treated with kindness and consideration. Good (or good enough) guys will show you more consideration going forward, DAMP, and guys who aren’t good (or aren’t good enough) will show you their asses—they’ll make no effort to be more considerate—and you shouldn’t put up with (or sit down on) those dicks.

Finally, DAMP, while kindness and consideration are perfectly reasonable expectations where casual sex partners are concerned, endless conversations to process your feelings are not. So, I would advise you to confide in a trusted friend or two about your frustrations before you confront one of your regular dicks about something that’s bothering you. Are you pissed about something that you, as a casual sex partner, have a right to be pissed about? Or are you pissed about something that you don’t have a

right to be pissed about? If he’s flaking on you at the last minute or treating you like a cum dump (no small talk, no aftercare), you have a right to be pissed. Those are things you can confront a dick about. If he hasn’t been able to see you for a while because he’s busy (one of the top reasons people seek casual sex partners) or if he ended things because you wanted to keep things casual and he wanted something serious, you don’t have a right to be pissed about that. Those are things you vent to a friend about.

P.S. Get tested regularly, insist on condoms, make sure these dicks know your kids are your first priority, make sure kids are your first priority, don’t take it personally when a casual sex partner moves on, be the kind of casual sex partner you want to see in the world (be kind and considerate yourself), and when you’re ready for a relationship again, DAMP, don’t rule out guys you’ve been seeing casually.

and low conflict now that we’re not fighting about cheating. (It also helps that I don’t have to worry about getting gonorrhea from him ever again.) The kids need me less these days, so I got a personal trainer about a year ago. I don’t feel guilty or bad about it. But I somehow feel both guilty and bad for not feeling guilty or bad. What is that about?

Abundant Personal Training

“No man who wears a chastity device doesn’t think about security lines at airports,” said SeattleLocked, a man who wears a chastity device. “And us guys in chastity pretty much fall into two camps. There are those who do not wish to pull others into their kink, and there are those who do not give a fuck.”

SAVAGE LOVE

I don’t know if you’re watching the second season of “The White Lotus,” Dan, but you’ll get this reference if you are: I’m a married straight woman who recently got herself a personal trainer. My husband cheated on me on and off for the first decade of our marriage. He agreed to see a marriage counselor with me, and he pretended that the cheating was tied to a deep-seated psychological issue. He may have believed that. Our counselor certainly believed it, and for a while I did, too. But the cheating never stopped. It’s been a few years since I’ve had sex with him, but I don’t want to leave him because we have kids, and our relationship is actually pretty loving

First and most importantly, APT, of course I’m watching the second season of “The White Lotus.” Mike White is a genius, I can’t wait for the finale, but I never want it to end. (Here’s hoping Cameron and Ethan at least make out before one or both or neither of them dies.) Moving on… You shouldn’t feel bad about seeking sex elsewhere—excuse me, for seeking personal training elsewhere—but you already know that. And if you’re feeling bad about not feeling bad… well, that’s most likely because sessions with your personal trainer aren’t just about personal training. They’re about that, of course, but they’re also about your marriage. Your marriage isn’t what you expected it would be, APT, and now you aren’t someone you expected to be—you know, the kind of woman who has a personal trainer. So, I don’t think you’re feeling guilty and bad for not feeling guilty or bad. I think you’re feeling grief (for what your marriage was supposed to be) and relief (at making peace with your marriage as it is) Enjoy those sessions, APT, you’ve earned them.

I’ve just started wearing a metal cock cage and want to wear it for longer and longer periods of time. How do men in chastity devices get through airports? Do they think about security? Can’t Ask Google Everything

SeattleLocked, who currently falls into the “do not pull others in” camp, has been into chastity devices and orgasm denial for as long as his dick has been getting hard, but he’s gone through airport security locked and unlocked.

“If you don’t want to pull other guys into your kink, you organize removal before and reinstallation after security,” said SeattleLocked. “If you don’t give a fuck, you happily submit to be strip-searched in that weird little booth while smirking at the TSA dudes.”

Basically, CAGE, a locked guy is given the key to his chastity device before he goes through security, slips into a bathroom to remove the device, slips it into the bag he’s taking through security, and then immediately heads to a bathroom after security to lock himself back up—ideally under the close supervision of his keyholder, to make sure he isn’t tempted rub one out prior to boarding. Now, there’s a good chance a bag containing a male chastity device will wind up being searched after it’s x-rayed, of course, but by this point in time—more than 20 years after the creation of the Transportation Safety Administration—every TSA agent has seen a male chastity device (in a bag, on a dick), heard about them, or worn one. (TSA agents are people, some people are kinky, some kinky people are TSA agents.)

“Modern technology also offers personalized high-tech polycarbonate options, as an alternative to steel or titanium chastity devices,” said SeattleLocked, “and those cages make sailing through security a breeze—if you’re TSA-Pre.”

People who have completed the TSAPrecheck process pass through simple metal detectors, and a plastic or polycarbonate chastity device won’t set off a metal detector. People who haven’t completed the TSA-Precheck process have to step inside those “full-body scanners,” which are designed to detect any object, metal or otherwise, hidden under a person’s clothing… by creating a digital image of a person’s body sans clothing. So, it’s not just locked guys in the don’t give a fuck camp who get strip-searched at the airport. Those guys may be getting literally strip-searched by actual humans in the privacy of a weird little booth, but the rest of us are getting virtually strip-searched by millimeter wave scanners in front of God and everybody else at the airport.

SeattleLocked is on Recon at @seattlelocked. (And, no, SeattleLocked is not me and I am not SeattleLocked, which will be clear when you check out his pics on Recon.)

Send your question to mailbox@savage.love. Podcasts, columns and more at savage.love.

ACROSS

It might be thick as a brick

Cookie man

Rudiments

A hard ___ follow

Zeno’s home

TV-watching spot

Sellout sign

Status symbol of a sort

A bit too casual for casual Friday?

Sal who portrayed Dov Landau portrayer in Exodus

Carpentry tool

Belief

Shopped for summer clothes?

With Marilyn and Clark, a Misfits star

Waist wear

Bible bk.

Up-___ (okay)

Points on a diamond?

Yale song word

Some opera singers

Car-racing org.

Sleepwear?

Insect stage

On the Mediterranean

Palindromic Indian

And now a word from our cheerleader

Noted Arthur

Nora Charles portrayer

Mattel fella

Undies for astronauts? 63 Island with a famous ferry

Pocketful for Woods 68 ___ dare

Lavish attention 71 Last step before showering? 73 Apparel styles aimed at swimmers? 76 ___ many words 77 Way-out West? 78 Max Jr. who played Jethro 79 Hash house habitués 80 Wife’s nickname for her banker hubby? 84 Calif. hrs. 85 Thou’s cousin 86 Org. the U.S. belongs to 87 Na Na opener 88 “___ man answers ...” 90 Chi. daily 94 Writing this part of the puzzle 96 What Goofy wears? 100 Biological bristle 101 007 villain Blofeld 104 Certain jackets 105 “Give me librium or give me ___” (line from The Boys in the Band) 106 Lake transit 108 Tax time: abbr. 110 Ticket piece 112 Dance segment

Items of apparel with mousies all over them?

Stares at 120 1960s group , Procol ___

Taste fully

Where a certain TV actress shops for clothes?

Surface

Start of a campaign slogan

Italian river

Songwriter Jacques

Vintage possessions

March time

Intro to VW

Delilah to Victor’s Samson, 1949 DOWN

Sergio Leone specialty

Hymn word

Predilections

Fine fabric

Fool

Ranch sound

Branch

Protected

High points

Knickknacks

Kin of “more”: abbr.

Tiramisu et al.

First in a series

Fatty, perhaps

Ski-lift support

Camp sight

Shouts from the south

Wiped-out avians

Chess pces.

Ewan’s Phantom Menace co-star

Torte cousins

Low-grade wool

Lawgiver

Haggard novel

Unknot

Noted Arthur

Saint, e.g.

Light announcer

“___ luck?”

Portrayer of Mr. Sulu

Major periods

___ Park IL

Rhine city

Certain spy

Cribbage piece

Danielle’s day

Do film work

1980s defense idea: abbr.

Long, as a hike

Big name in vodka

Cyclo ending

Level

Count addition

Some trends

Sailor

Put up a fight

Cafe order

Kidney, for one

Geologic concept

Deadly snakes

“How lame can you get!”

Colorful coverage?

Hosts

Teeth cleaners

Butt

“Whattaya know!”

Troubled

Zola’s indictment, in English

Like some life insurance

Wildcats of the Big 12 Conf.

Awful

Martini’s vermouth partner

Sherpa, for one 107 Willie of Eight Is Enough

Trims

Derek et al. 113 Spring phenomenon

Mata-___ 115 Green land, in song

Dyed-in-the-wool

Partly open

Inc., in Germany

Ground dweller 124 ___-Turn