Creative Loafing Tampa — December 22, 2022

CONTRIBUTORS Josh Bradley, Jennifer Ring, Arielle Stevenson

PHOTOGRAPHERS Dave Decker, Kimberly DeFalco

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jack Spatafora

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5 Story

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Joe Frontel ILLUSTRATORS Dan Perkins, Cory Robinson, Bob Whitmore

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SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Anthony Carbone, Scott Zepeda

MARKETING, PROMOTIONS AND EVENTS DIRECTOR

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

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

Alexis Quinn Chamberlain

MARKETING, PROMOTIONS AND EVENTS COORDINATOR Lauren Caplinger

Music: Tampa Bay Blues Fest 40

Music Week 42

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICERS Chris Keating, Michael Wagner EXECUTIVE EDITOR Sarah Fenske

Concert review: Artic Monkeys 42

Music: Tampa Bay Blues Fest 40

Music Week 42

VP OF DIGITAL SERVICES Stacy Volhein

The List 46

REGIONAL OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Hollie Mahadeo

Concert review: Artic Monkeys 42 The List 46

Movie reviews 63

Free Will Astrology 64

Movie reviews 63

Puzzler 66 Savage Love 69

Free Will Astrology 64 Puzzler 66 Savage Love 69

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

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

tampa.creativeloafing.com/cltv

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

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

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

Ybor Festival of the Moving Image cltampa.com/arts

Ybor Festival of the Moving Image cltampa.com/arts

JENNIFER RING

That’s my Deejay

Blake High grad’s ‘Hamilton’ appearance among best things to do this week.

By Ray Roa

“Hamilton” returns to Tampa this week, and it’s booked a month-long stay, which gives local theater fans plenty of chances to see one of their own take the stage. Deejay Young is a Blake High School graduate and swing for several roles in the production’s national tour (including Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr and Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson). In June, he even stepped into the role of Hamilton himself.

Young, 32, found his voice singing in his mom’s church, and joined his first national touring production at just five years old. He told Broadway World that he fell in love with theater after seeing “Chicago,” but also composes poetry and music of his own. Depression as a result of being away from his craft led to him dropping out of Florida A&M University, but the gamble paid off.

He joined City Groove, a Tampa group signed to Universal Records, then moved to Orlando where he joined a Disney show cast, which opened the door to playing in places like Radio City Music Hall, plus with artists like Yolanda Adams.

“It is very mind-boggling. I once said I would never be a swing because I thought I never could. It’s funny how the mind works. Our minds are so powerful. It’s just how you approach things,” he told BW. “I just want Tampa to be proud. I’ve worked very hard for a very long time. I have my own music. I’ve done so many things within this Tampa community. I want people to see me in this show and just be proud that I am putting Tampa out there in a positive way and that I didn’t give up on my dreams.”

If you catch Young out and about, maybe he’ll play you some of the new album he has coming out next year. Hamilton, Dec. 28-Jan. 22. $49 & up. Carol Morsani Hall at David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N Macinnes Pl, Tampa. strazcenter.org

Heaven and Liam sing

New Granada Records’ annual Christmas night show isn’t the only holiday concert happening over the Christmas break (see more live music options on p. 43). Tampa-based promoter Brokenmold has also announced that expat Bay area songwriter Liam Bauman is in the lineup for its annual holiday party happening on Friday, Dec. 23 at Tampa’s Hooch and Hive. Tickets are $12-$15.

SoftBite (featuring members of Witch Hiatus), plus Madelaine & The Southern Gypsy

Band round out the bill. Bauman, who recently moved to Nashville, just released a pair of songs, marking his first new material since relocating.

“It’s a representation of my last time spent in Florida before relocating to Nashville earlier this year. The two songs were written nearly a week apart from one another, during a time where I was stuck in a deep artistic rut. For me these songs tackle similar feelings like burnout, self doubt, and existentialism,” Bauman wrote in a press release. “They come at those emotions from opposite perspectives, which is why I chose to release them side by side.”

Brokenmold Annual Holiday Party: Liam Bauman w/Softbite/Southern Gypsy Band. Friday, Dec. 23, 8 p.m. $12-$15. brokenmoldentertainment.com

COURTESY

WAIT FOR IT: Deejay Young is a Tampa product in the traveling ‘Hamilton’ tour.

Sounding joy

Photos by Dave Decker and Kimberly DeFalco

There’s literally not another bigger Tampa philanthropist than Titus O’Neil. The WWE superstar born Thaddeus Bullard has already taken to Raymond James Stadium for a big backpack bash, and last Saturday he brought a bunch of goodwill—plus free toys, sports gear, bikes and new cars— for a giveaway and parade at Sligh Middle Magnet School. Per usual, local politicians were there to get photo ops, but it’s inspiring to see the commitment Titus and his community partners have towards lifting the community up. See all the photos via cltampa. com/slideshow.

—Ray Roa

POLITICS ISSUES OPINION

Still hoping

A year after launch, Tampa homeless shelter cottages have yet to be built.

By Justin Garcia

After estimating their completion this year, plans to open 100 cottages at East Tampa’s Hope homeless shelter are delayed. On Dec. 13, 2021, Tampa city officials and Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg announced the launch of the Tampa Hope shelter, which is the result of a partnership between the city and the nonprofit.

The vision is to build a potential total of 300 Hope Cottages that can withstand Category 5 hurricane force winds and provide climate control and electrical outlets for those in need of shelter. City council approved $750,000 of city funds to help get the project going.

During the launch last December, Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg, the nonprofit that runs the shelter, estimated that around 100 of the cottages would be built sometime in 2022, with more to come afterwards. In June, the nonprofit told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that 100 of the cottages had been ordered, all estimated to be constructed by the end of this year.

Hope received those cottages, but their construction has been delayed while the unconstructed cottages are stored on the property. For now, the shelter still consists of around 120 tents on pallets. The delay is due to a combination of issues, said

Louis Ricardo, director of marketing and donor relations for Catholic Charities St. Petersburg.

“We still have to do all of the infrastructure build out,” Ricardo told CL. “They require electricity, and we need to trench in the electrical.”

Ricardo estimated that the groundbreaking for the electrical will happen next spring. Once they’ve installed the underground electrical, along with other infrastructure work that will be coordinated with the city and TECO, the nonprofit can start building up the cottages. He credited the City of Tampa for helping expedite permitting processes to install infrastructure, but said the process is still taking longer than initially anticipated. This, along with supply chain issues due to the pandemic, have led to the delay in construction, Ricardo said.

Hurricane Ian this year, all of the tents, which have been upgraded since last year, had to be deconstructed and put away when Hope’s residents were moved to a shelter. But Ricardo added that the cottage project is big and expensive, and that in the end, the cost could be in the millions, which could require more financial support from donors.

“I don’t have an issue as long as they’re gonna update us and give us a plan on when it’s going to happen, so long as there’s a reasonable situation about why it’s been delayed,” Councilman Orlando Gudes said. “But in the end, let’s just get it done.”

City councilwoman Lynn Hurtak said that the delay is not ideal, but hopes it’s part of a sustainable project that will help hundreds of people out long term.

HOUSING

Catholic Charities plans to hold a “one year and one month” anniversary press conference in January to give the community an update on the progress of the shelter.

Ricardo told CL that he would love to be able to say at that press conference that the shelters will be built next year before it gets hotter and before storm season. During

“I think that it’s unfortunate that setbacks that have affected so many other city projects have also hit this project, because it is so needed,” Hurtak told CL. “What I do like about this plan is that it’s not going to be thrown up hastily. The infrastructure is going to be there to maintain for the long term.”

Hurtak added that from data that she got last week, Hope has helped 26% of people who’ve been through the doors find permanent housing this year.

Tampa’s communications team has not yet responded to questions of how the city is helping to expedite the infrastructure process.

Carl Walker, 59, has just found housing that he’ll be moving into with his partner Eileen Mayo, who also stays at Hope, just in time for the holidays.

Walker has been at the shelter since January and said that even though the cottages haven’t been built, a tent with a mattress to sleep on beats trying to sleep on the streets. He also pointed to the shelter’s shower and laundry facilities which he called “priceless” for those who find themselves homeless.

That and three meals a day have kept him going this year, despite facing severe medical issues. When he was dealing with the issues, the shelter put him in a hotel. And the group will also continue to help him and his partner with housing assistance, he told CL.

“The program is actually working,” he said. “It’s benefiting those who are wanting to put in the work to start a new life.”

Ricardo said that while there’s a lot of work still to be done to build up the shelters, there are a lot of opportunities for people who want to find housing and stability after they arrive at Tampa Hope. As far as the cottages go, he looks forward to nailing down a solid timeline as soon as possible.

“I’d love to be able to say that sometime in 2023 we have these constructed and are lining people up to live in them in because they were wonderful, with air conditioning and light,” Ricardo said. “But it is going to take some time, and money.

“The program is actually working.”

GIMME SHELTER: Tampa Hope tents on Dec. 14, 2022.

JUSTIN GARCIA

Waiting place

St. Pete tables reproductive rights resolution until next year.

By Arielle Stevenson

Even before the overturning of Roe v. Wade, protections for Floridians seeking reproductive care have eroded in recent years. That’s why St. Pete City council member Richie Floyd wants the city to pass a resolution protecting reproductive and privacy rights. He also wants the city to provide funding to non-profit abortion access through the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund. He introduced both items last week in the final Health, Energy, Resilience, and Sustainability (HERS) committee meeting of the year.

“You’ve seen the criminalization of abortion recently,” Floyd said this week. “And this is basically our statement that we’re not comfortable with the recent criminalization efforts.”

Both items were tabled until next year, pending more information from legal, the chief of police, and the administration. Despite hitting roadblocks to more robust protections, Tampa passed a similar ordinance last August. Floyd used that language to work with legal in drafting St. Pete’s version. St. Pete Chief Assistant City Attorney Jeannine Williams said legal risk concerning the resolution is low based on the template from Tampa.

“There are also similar resolutions in other jurisdictions in Florida and a number of them throughout the country,” Williams said. “It’s a policy decision on the wording you want to use, whether or not you pass it at all.”

Some of Floyd’s colleagues say they want language in the resolution broadened. Council member Brandi Gabbard said she’d support such a resolution with changes.

“For me, this doesn’t stop at abortion. It’s all body autonomy, right?” Gabbard said. “I almost

wish this was not even specific to abortion, but specific to privacy in health care, period.”

Gabbard asked Chris Lawler, volunteer board president with the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund if the organization could allot funds specifically for St. Petersburg residents.

“As of right now, we don’t collect demographic information on people who call in to seek assistance,” Lawler said. “Because of the attacks on abortion access.”

Attorney Williams says that as long as the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund doesn’t perform abortions, funding is possible from the city.

“My understanding of the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund is that they don’t have ownership in an abortion clinic,” Williams said. “They are a fund that helps people individually with access to abortion care. We do not believe that prohibits a donation to an organization as you may donate to any organization.”

Council member Ed Montanari said the resolution is “an extremely bad idea.”

Committee chair Gina Driscoll and Gabbard both said they support Floyd’s ideas but won’t move to pass any resolution or funding yet. “I want this to go beyond this as a political statement,” Driscoll said. “I see this as a springboard to provide some assistance to women who are facing very difficult decisions.”

Floyd said he’ll continue the conversation with his colleagues and consider broadening the language.

“I just want it not to be lost that this was put forward because reproductive healthcare access in this country is under attack right now,” Floyd added. “I’m disappointed that we’re at this point.”

HOW MUCH LONGER? Pro-choice activists in St. Pete on June 29, 2022.

Dirty south

New report shows neighborhood climate impact.

By Colin Wolf

It turns out if you live in South Tampa or Wesley Chapel, your household is probably pretty awful for the environment, according to a new report. Last week, the New York Times published an interactive piece titled “The Climate Impact of Your Neighborhood, Mapped.” Using data from EcoDataLab and the University of California, Berkley the publication rated neighborhoods around the globe based on the area’s average carbon emissions.

The full methodology is at ecodatalab.com, but essentially the interactive map shows the estimated emissions of each neighborhood, scoring the cluster of households with varying degrees of green or orange. According to the map, the national average is about 40 tons of CO2 per household, so homes that consume the most electricity, buy the most goods, and drive the furthest, for example, scored the worst and appear in a dark orange color. However, households that produce the least amount of carbon emissions appear dark green (see the map via cltampa.com/news).

“If you take more flights, drive more miles or buy more goods than your neighbors, you may have a higher emissions footprint than your area’s average,” writes the NYT. “Conversely, if you put solar panels on your roof or drive an electric car, that can lower your emissions.”

transportation system, and roughly half the homes are powered by a coal-burning power plant. In other words, a lot of these carbon emissions aren’t by choice.

But Dr. Chris Jones, director of the CoolClimate Network at the University of California, Berkeley, told the publication he hopes this data will help individuals make small adjustments and also inspire cities and local governments to consider better climate-friendly policies for developers.

When individuals or households want to know what influence they have over emissions, a consumption-based carbon footprint is the most relevant indicator,” said Jones. “And it can help us see what sorts of larger systemic changes are necessary.”

The 2022 Hurricane Season ruined nearly 30% of Florida’s citrus crops

ENVIRONMENT

Most of South Tampa has one of the highest carbon footprints in all of Tampa Bay, producing close to 60 tons of annual CO2 per household. Considering the sheer size of homes and overall wealth in areas like Beach Park and Sunset Beach, for example, it certainly makes sense that these neighborhoods scored above average in nearly all categories.

But Tampa’s Bay’s suburbs are also well represented. Parts of Wesley Chapel scored close to 60 tons of CO2 per household, as did areas near Fish Hawk, Shore Acres and pretty much everything north of Race Track Road.

On the flip side, Tampa Bay’s more densely populated neighborhoods scored very well. Area’s like Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, Ybor City, West Tampa, downtown St. Petersburg, South Pasadena, and around University of South Florida all scored closer to 20-30 tons of CO2 per household.

Of course, it’s important to note that Tampa Bay is a poorly designed, car-centric metro with a near non-existent public

The forecast for Florida’s orange crop has dropped 29% after Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole, putting the citrus industry on a path toward its lowest production since the Great Depression. This month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a report that said Florida is expected to produce 20 million boxes of oranges during the current growing season, down from a previous forecast of 28 million boxes. Projections also dropped 10% for grapefruit production and 14% for specialty fruits.

The previous forecast was issued in October as the season started. It did not take into account the Category 4 Hurricane Ian, which made landfall Sept. 28 in Southwest Florida and caused large numbers of uprooted trees and downed fruit in citrus-growing areas such as Collier, Lee, DeSoto, Hardee and Polk counties.

Even before Ian, the industry expected a decrease in production, with surveys showing smaller fruit and fewer oranges per tree. Growers have long faced pressures from deadly citrus-greening disease and development.

Florida Citrus Mutual CEO Matt Joyner issued a statement that offered hope for dealing with issues such as citrus greening.

“We have every reason to believe that Florida’s iconic citrus industry is on the verge of an upswing because of the new tools available to fight greening,” Joyner said in the statement. “Research shows plant growth regulators can reduce fruit drop."

BY BOB WHITMORE

“Most of South Tampa has one of the highest carbon footprints in all of Tampa Bay.”

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Yuge

The Trump collapse, plus more of the most important stories of 2022.

By Jeffrey C. Billman

Welcome, friends, to our favorite time of year, when columnists hither and yon fill their allotted inches and/or pixels with retrospectives written well in advance, as we are relaxing with hearth and kin sipping cognac by the fire (more accurately, downing cheap bourbon while watching “Star Wars” before passing out alone on the couch) while you read this. So let’s fill some space: This week and next, the 10 most important American political stories of 2022; the week after, my 10 biggest questions for 2023.

1. The End of Roe It wasn’t a surprise that five far-right members of the Supreme Court rejected 50 years of precedent to eliminate two generations of abortion rights. But it was still a shock—first, when Justice Samuel Alito’s draft opinion leaked, then when the ruling became official. Thirteen state abortion bans (or severe restrictions) went into effect, mostly in the South, criminalizing what had a few years ago been a routine medical procedure and none of anyone’s goddamn business. Over the next two months, the number of legal abortions fell by 6%. Women with the means to do so traveled to obtain abortions. Others performed self-managed abortions or procured abortion pills from Mexico or Europe off the internet.

Congressional Democrats made noise about national legislation to protect abortion rights but failed to deliver. Republicans hinted at a national abortion ban the next time they have control of Washington. The Biden administration wrung its hands.

But if the far right thought women would meekly accept Alito’s smarmy, ahistorical paternalism, they were sorely mistaken. Voters in six states—California, Vermont, Michigan, Kansas, Kentucky, and Montana—backed abortion rights in referenda this year, everywhere the question was on the ballot. In a wild turn for anyone old enough to remember the “safe, legal, rare” ’90s, Democrats made abortion access the centerpiece of their congressional campaign. And succeeded.

2. The Red Puddle Until the returns came in, Republicans insisted a red wave was coming. Pundits and reporters took it as a given, not without cause. On a good day, President Biden’s approval ratings hovered around 40%. Inflation was over 8%. Historically, numbers like that doomed the president’s party in a midterm. Plus, generic polls showed that Republicans had a small but significant lead in generic-ballot questions, another indicator that the GOP was in for a good night.

And then the red wave turned into a puddle. Not everywhere, of course. Republicans exceeded expectations in New York and Florida, where

the state Democratic Party somehow finds new definitions for the word “shambles.” But across the country, Republicans lost Senate and House districts they should have won, enough to keep Democrats in control of the Senate and give Republicans a very narrow margin in the House.

There’s no single factor that kept them at bay. Abortion was a big one. But perhaps biggest of all, though, was the cavalcade of incompetence, corruption, insanity, and assholery the GOP offered voters in its MAGA candidates: Blake Masters in Arizona, Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania, Herschel Walker in Arizona, and so on.

3. The Trump Collapse Donald Trump ends the year weaker than he’s ever been.

In December, his company, the Trump Organization, was convicted of fraud in New York. The Department of Justice had searched his home and found classified documents he’d purloined from the White House. A special counsel was investigating him for both taking the records and inciting the Jan. 6 insurrection. A prosecutor in Georgia was investigating him for trying to overturn the state’s election results.

A prosecutor in New York is investigating him for tax fraud.

Worst, his allies are abandoning him—not because of his crimes, but because he’s a loser. His endorsed candidates got crushed in November; his plan to triumphantly announce another presidential bid turned into a pathetic attempt to remain relevant. In polls, Republicans are ditching him for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. It’s possible Trump isn’t finished. But with each passing day, it seems just as likely that his presidential campaign will coincide with a felony indictment.

4. The Russian Menace Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had political ramifications all over the globe. Putin-friendly Republicans— cheered on by Glenn Greenwald and Tucker Carlson—criticized American and NATO efforts to arm the Ukrainian military. More importantly, the conflict and the international community’s sanctions drove up energy and food prices in the United States and Europe, stoking an already-burning inflationary fire. Russia is also working with Iran to acquire drones it’s used to strike Ukrainian cities, a partnership of authoritarian American adversaries that have both taken aggressive measures to squelch dissent this year.

Adding to the tension was Russia’s arrest and conviction of WNBA star Brittney Griner on charges of carrying cannabis oil, for which

she was sentenced to nine years. Earlier this month, the Biden administration traded Griner for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. But it could not secure the release of Paul Whelan, a former marine Russia has jailed for four years on espionage charges.

5. Inflation A year and a half ago, the big brains assumed that post-pandemic inflation was transitory. They were wrong.

As global economies rebounded, people had money to burn, but understaffed and overloaded global supply chains couldn’t keep up. As companies hired to meet demand, wages soared, and prices with them. (Corporate profits rose, too.)

The housing market went bananas. Oil skyrocketed, sending gas north of $5 a gallon. Life became unaffordable. Annual inflation approached 9%, a number not seen since the 1970s. The Federal Reserve aggressively raised interest rates, and the stock market spiraled. But so far, the Fed has slowed inflation without triggering a recession. So far.

Republicans blamed President Biden’s Covid stimulus, though that was a small piece of a worldwide puzzle, and the U.S. has fared better than many Western countries.

Still, Biden’s polling took a hit from which he hasn’t recovered.

Next week: Numbers. 6-10.

YOU’RE FIRED: Trump’s campaign will coincide with a felony indictment.

GAGE SKIDMORE

“Republicans are ditching him for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.”

Shit Happened

Florida’s Department of Health published an emergency rule that would double the size of its marijuana industry, and make it more costly to operate. Not my kind of dealer.

A CL report details how the New Port Richey police chief stood befor the city to defend cops who made Holocaust joke and prayed with Proud Boys. This is just as bad as the Tampa chief’s golf cart gaffe, right?

MONDAY 19

Florida’s schoolboard races are required to be nonpartisan contests under the Constitution, but Sarasota Senator Joe Gruters filed a motion to make them partisan. A Republican going against the constitution? No way!

TUESDAY 20

Walmart launches drone delivery service for select Tampa Bay stores. I wonder how many hot dogs it can carry.

Police have proven uniquely susceptible to the lies and narratives they spread to justify their own funding. So it’s no surprise that a Florida cop says “street scientists” are making extra powerful fentanyl, after questions surfaced over a viral overdose video.

More shit, figuring out how to get a degree in street science, via cltampa.com/news.

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RESTAURANTS RECIPES DINING GUIDES

Don’t drop the ball

More than 40 New Year’s parties and events happening in Tampa Bay.

By Kyla Fields

It’s finally time to ring in the new year—and our wide spread of bars, restaurants and event spaces have you covered. From casual bar shindigs to fancy galas and rooftop parties (or just staying in because it seems like everyone’s sick right now), here are more than 40 New Year’s parties, events, and celebrations to kiss 2022 goodbye. Some are free, others far from it, but set up a ride home, and tip the hell out of your waitstaff, no matter what. Read an expanded version of this listing via cltampa.com/food.

Ale & The Witch Grateful Dead cover band Uncle John’s Band takes over the outdoor courtyard. Free. 6 p.m. Ale & The Witch, 111 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. thealeandthewitch.com

Armature Works This celebration features more photo opportunities, fireworks and booze than ever—plus VIP upgrades, too. 8 p.m. $75$1,800. 1910 N Ola Ave., Tampa. eventbrite.com

Avid Brewing Say farewell to the brewery by drinking as much beer as you possibly can. 12 p.m. Free to attend; $20 all-you-can-drink beer. Avid Brewing Company, 1745 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg. avidbrew.com

Bar548 Reservations for this casual celebration come with a bottle of champagne, confetti cannons and access to all of the fun. 6 p.m. Free; reservations encouraged. 548 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. bar548.com

Cage Brewing’s Phish Tribute Grateful Dead and Phish tributes soundtrack this party complete with tasty brews from this St. Pete favorite. 7 p.m. $15- $250. 2001 1 Ave. S, St. Petersburg. eventbrite.com

Cider Press Vegan Gastropub Ring in the new year with this newly-opened vegan pub’s from-scratch menu and craft cocktails; bar stays open until 1 a.m. 8 p.m. Free. 3118 3rd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. ciderpresspub.com

City Side Lounge This free, LGBTQfriendly celebration includes drag performances and midnight toast. 9 p.m. Free. City Side Lounge, 703 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. citysidelounge.com

The Coliseum: Swingin’ in the New Year Dust those petticoats off, because this old timey New Year’s celebration is back for another year, and you better bring your best (swing) dance moves. 6:30 p.m. $50. The Coliseum, 535 4th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. eventbrite.com

CW’s Gin Joint: NYE Crystal Ball Live entertainment, music and a bounty of libations and eats from Gin Joint Chef Maria Sierra make this party stand out amongst the rest. 9 p.m. $125. The Vault, 611 N Franklin St., Tampa. thevaultpresents.ticketspice.com

Don CeSar The Lobby Bar hosts a Gatsby-inspired event, full of dancing, live entertainment and bottle service. The Don CeSar, 3400 Gulf Blvd., Saint Pete Beach. 9 p.m. $100$2,500. eventbrite.com

Dog Bar Ball Drop & Glow Party This party is for you and your furry friends, featur -

apart from the rest. 8 p.m. $299. Floridian Social Club, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. exploretock.com

Flute & Dram: Into the Future Party Local bands Good Luck Kings and Chris Francisco provide the tunes. 6 p.m. Reservations required. Flute & Dram, 234 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, flutendram.com

The Deuces Head to the ballroom at this historic event space to snack on hors d’oeuvres, sip on butler-served champagne and dance the night away. 8 p.m. $50-$700. Manhattan Casino, 642 22nd St. S, St Petersburg. @stpetersburgmanhattancasino on Facebook

Hotel Haya: Medianoche NYE This latenight feast typically happens before Christmas, but Hotel Haya’s rendition brings 2023 in with live music and an exclusive holiday dinner. 6:30 p.m. Dinner reservations required. Hotel Haya,

YEAR’S

ing a glowing foam party for the humans and a literal midnight “ball drop” for the pups. 8 p.m. Free for members, $7 for non-members. Dog Bar, 2300 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. dogbarstpete.com

Élevage New Year’s Eve Dinner If allnight parties aren’t your thing, then maybe this fancy three-course dinner—complete with Wagyu short rib raviolis—is more your speed. 5 p.m. $125. Epicurean Hotel, 1207 South Howard Ave., Tampa. epicureanhotel.com

Floridian Social Club An eight-piece jazz band, special holiday cocktails and circus performers set this Central Avenue party

1412 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. hotelhaya.com

Hyde House Public Studio: Heavenly Bodies Head to this immersive dinner and exciting after-party, complete with art installations and signature cocktails. 7 p.m. $50-$1,000. Hyde House Public Studio, 1646 W Snow Ave., Tampa. eventbrite.com

Independent Annual New Year’s Eve Bash DJ Cub provides the tunes at this freeto-attend celebration, which also features a complimentary champagne toast and a hot dog bar (yes, you read that correctly.) 9 p.m. Free. Independent Bar and Cafe, 5016 N Florida Ave., Tampa. independentbartampa.com

The Karol Hotel: New Year’s Eve at Vantage Rooftop hangs and an exclusive holiday menu help bring in 2023 at this upscale Clearwater hotel. 4 p.m. Free to attend; food and drink prices vary. The Karol Hotel, 2675 Ulmerton Rd.,Clearwater. thekarolhotel.com

La La’s Sangria Bar and Lounge This action-packed party features a live DJ, hookah bar, party favors and the live countdown featured on 11 different TVs. 9 p.m. $98-$108. La La’s Sangria Bar, 203 N Meridian Ave., Tampa. eventbrite.com

MacDinton’s Irish Pub There’s a complimentary toast at midnight at this celebration, but VIP ticket holders can receive an entire bottle of champagne. 6 p.m. $20-$75. MacDinton’s Irish Pub, 405 S Howard Ave., Tampa. eventbrite.com

Mandarin Heights Curated cocktails—what this popular watering hole is known for—a midnight toast and live DJ sets help Mandarin Heights welcome in the new year. 8 p.m. $10-$1,200. 5901 N Florida Ave., Tampa. eventbrite.com

New Year’s Eve Firework Cruise This hour-long boat ride provides scenic views of downtown Tampa to folks of all ages, although you have to be 21 & up to participate in its midnight champagne toast. 11:30 p.m. $69.95. Pirate Water Taxi, 333 S Franklin St., Tampa. piratewatertaxi.com

Phil Benito’s Birthday Party If you don’t know Benito—a regular at Shuffle who’s been immortalized on a “Where’s Phil” shirt by the Tampa Heights venue—then this is just a New Year’s Eve party with live music from “The Sculpted Air Research Group,” a straight up art project outfit that’s perfect to get tipsy to. If you happen to pass out in the backyard, New Year’s Day features a buffet ($20-$25) kicking off at noon. Noon. No cover. Shuffle, 2612 N Tampa St., Tampa. @tampashuffle on Facebook

PTL Presents: New Year’s Eve This Ybor City club knows a thing or two about drinking and dancing, but this year’s NYE celebration features exclusive sets from electronic artists Galo and Camo & Friends. 8 p.m. $99-$2,000. PTL, 1507 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. ptlybor.com

Raise a Glass!: New Year’s Eve with Dynasty & Friends Tampa expat rapper Dynasty will share the Riverwalk Stage with J’Nelle, DJ Sandman and Trumaine Lamar to ensure a fresh start to 2023. 9:30 p.m. $47. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N WC MacInnes Pl., Tampa. strazcenter.org

Red Mesa Cantina’s dinner & rooftop Party This exclusive event features a

AVID’S AU REVOIR: St. Pete’s Avid Brew Co. will host a New Year’s celebration before it permanently closes.

continued from page 37

four-course meal, open bar, complimentary tequila and champagne toasts and as much rooftop dancing as you can handle. 8:45 p.m. $150. Red Mesa Cantina, 128 3rd St. S, St. Petersburg. resy.com

The Ritz Disco Donnie Presents & Sunset Events brings Italian DJ and producer Benny Benassi to the Ritz Ybor for their NYE party. 10 p.m. $40. Ritz Ybor, 1503 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. seetickets.us

Rusty Pelican This popular Tampa restaurant offers a four-course meal and cocktail specials all-night long during its holiday party. 5 p.m. Free. Rusty Pelican, 2425 N Rocky Point Dr., Tampa. opentable.com

The Saint’s Immaculate Reception Party favors, a midnight champagne toast and live entertainment heads to this sinful speakeasy’s New Year’s party. 9 p.m. $100-$1,000. The Saint, 49 24th St. N, St. Petersburg. checkout.square.site

Sal Y Mar NYE Bash This midtown Tampa rooftop bar hosts its annual holiday party, chock full of live entertainment, craft cocktails, and prized views. 7 p.m. $160-$1,060. Sal Y Mar, 3650 Midtown Dr., Tampa. eventbrite.com

Salty Nun Fish Drop Live music, DJs and Salty Nun’s signature eats make this a mustattend NYE celebration. 6 p.m. Free. Salty Nun, 2501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. saltynun.com

Skipper’s Smokehouse’s NYE Admission includes party favors, a champagne toast, a breakfast buffet and access to an exciting night of groovy music from New York-based act Donna the Buffalo. 8 p.m. $40. 910 Skipper Rd., Tampa. ticketweb.com

St. Pete Pier There are psychos out there who miss the old pier (there’s a nod to it on the cover), but the new (and improved) one has a busy night planned, starting with kids activities

p.m. Free to attend. St. Pete Pier, 600 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg. stpetepier.org

Tampa New Year’s Eve Party Countdown This massive party features a variety of DJs, multiple open bars, party favors and an exciting countdown to midnight.

Tampa Marriott, 510 Water St. Tampa. event brite.com

Timpano Hyde Park restaurant’s Italian eats and aperol cocktails while dancing the night away. 1610 W Swann Ave., Tampa. exploretock.com

Tradewinds Resort: Toast By the Coast This beachside celebration has a full-service bar, a massive buf fet, photo booth and a full night of dancing to disco, soul, and rock n’ roll.

Resort, 5500 Gulf Blvd., S. Pete Beach. tradewindsresort.com

United Skates Tampa: New Year’s Eve Family Skate Family-friendly event celebrates 2023a little early—a pregame if you will. a.m.-4 p.m. $11-$15. United Skates Tampa, 5121 N Armenia Ave., Tampa. unitedskates.com

Vista At The Top gala with an extravagant buffet spread, a bottle of champagne per table, and tasty views of Tampa Bay. 8 p.m. $100-$1,000. Vista at the Top, 214 Madonna Blvd., St, Petersburg. eventbrite.com

Whiskey Joe’s beach bash party with live music on two stages, champagne toast at midnight and fireworks.

Whiskey Joe’s Bar and Grill Tampa, 7720 W Courtney Campbell Cswy., Tampa. opentable.com

Zoie's Drag queen Lady Bunny hosts at St. Pete’s newly-opened restaurant and event space. 8 p.m. $25-$100. Zoie’s, 2245 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. eventbrite.com

For Pete’s sake

A St. Pete staple sets eyes on Ybor City, plus more food news.

By Kyla Fields

One of The Burg’s favorite breakfast spots is making its journey across the bridge for an exciting—and slightly different—new concept. Popular bagel spot Pete’s Bagels will open a second location in Ybor City in spring 2023.

Much different than its flagship storefront in St. Pete that closes at 2 p.m. daily, the new Pete’s in Ybor City will be an all-day cafe that offers sandwiches, coffee, espresso, salads, beer and wine alongside its beloved bagels.

“The idea is to create a community focused space where you can grab your morning coffee, eat lunch and meet your friends for happy hour,” says a post from Pete’s Instagram. “We will have lots of community-focused events as well.”

Despite the new location’s menu being vastly different than that of its St. Pete storefront, customers of Tampa’s upcoming Pete’s can still expect the store’s iconic bagels, breakfast sandwiches and a variety of homemade schmears.

Although its social media post did not reveal the exact location of its upcoming Ybor City storefront, it did say that the new cafe will “overlook a brand new dog park.” The new, 4,000 square-foot Friends of Ybor dog park will debut sometime this month at 1802 E 4th Ave.— so folks can expect Pete’s to open somewhere near the corner of 18th Street and 4th Avenue in historic Ybor City.

When open next year, Pete’s will be neighbors with other Ybor City foodie spots like Nana’s Juice Bar, Jimmy’s Tacos and Al’s Finger-Licking Good BBQ. This is Pete’s second location in Tampa Bay. Initially, Pete’s had two storefronts in St. Pete, but its flagship cafe in Historic Uptown closed last fall, leaving its Grand Central District location at 2359 1st Ave. S the only one in The Burg’. For the latest updates on Ybor City’s Pete’s, follow its Facebook page or Instagram at @petes_general.

After 48 years, Dunedin’s Chatterbox Family Restaurant has closed

After almost 50 years of dishing out homestyle meals and stacked breakfast plates, a Dunedin favorite has closed its doors. Chatterbox Family Restaurant—attached to the Dunedin Lanes bowling alley at 405 Patricia Ave.— served its very last customers on Monday, Dec. 12.

According to the Tampa Bay Times— which recently did a deep dive on the restaurant’s history—Chatterbox’s third generation owner Billy Drulias is closing the family eatery to retire early. Drulias, 59, and his 89-year old mother Katy Drulias said goodbye to their final customers yesterday, posing for pictures with large balloons that commemorated the restaurant’s 48 year-long run. Drulias told TBT that he’s considering going back to school, as not finishing college was one of his biggest regrets in life.

Chatterbox is the last of three Drulias family restaurants that once spanned across northern Pinellas County. Clearwaters’ Bay Drive-In and Pete’s Restaurant have both been shuttered for years now, as the family’s last-standing concept joins the ranks of its now-closed siblings. Drulias’ great uncle, Gus Drulias, immigrated from Greece to the United States and quickly started building his Pinellas County restaurant empire in the 1940s.

Tampa’s Wing Boys opens at Citrus Park Mall

A new chicken wing spot has come home to roost in Northwest Tampa, and its 100+ sauces might

intimidate the indecisive customer. Wing Boys opened last weekend, Saturday, Dec. 16, at Tampa’s Citrus Park Mall located at 8021 Citrus Park Town. A press release from the company states that Wing Boys’ owners, Javier and Angelica Torres, decided to open a new location to expand their massive sauce list to foods other than wings. “We wanted to bring something new to the food hall and the Citrus Park area, where people shop, dine, & entertain,” Javier says in a press release. “We are slated to open 10 locations throughout the Tampa Bay region over the next five years.”

of sauces—like lemon pepper honey garlic or teriyaki honey barbecue— to smother their wings, ribs, shrimp or tacos with.

Don’t let its chicken wing-oriented name fool you, the local restaurant also offers a variety of sandwiches, nachos and seafood dishes— in addition to newly-added vegetarian options like salads and wraps as well.

OPENINGS & CLOSINGS

The 100 sauces that the local chicken chain offers are separated into several categories: garlic, buffalo, lemon pepper, ranch, Cajun, teriyaki, honey, bourbon, blue cheese and jerk. From there, Wing Boys customers can choose their variation

According to its social media, Tampa’s first Wing Boys location near Busch Gardens closed last month, in preparation for its Citrus Park Mall debut. Online ordering via third party services like Grubhub, Uber Eats and DoorDash will be available after Wing Boys’ grand opening this weekend. For more information on Citrus Park Mall’s newest restaurant, head to its Facebook page or Instagram at @wingboys100flavors.

FUR REAL: Pete’s bagels will soon be available right next to the new Ybor City dog park.

PETESGENERAL/FACEBOOK

MOVIES THEATER ART CULTURE

Seeds collecting

USF starts St. Pete arts renaissance archival project inside Studio@620.

By Jennifer Ring

Looking back on 17 years of art and culture at The Studio@620, cofounder Bob Devin Jones is most proud of the seeds he’s planted. He recalls a scene from Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.”

“Banquo is coming to the court of Macbeth’s,” Jones told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “He says something about planting the seed, and if it grows, the harvest is yours.”

The line comes from Act I, Scene IV. Macbeth and Banquo have just returned home after winning a key battle. King Duncan thanks them for the roles they played and promises to nurture their talents. “I have begun to plant thee, and will labour to make thee full of growing,” Duncan says to Macbeth and Banquo.

Banquo responds, “There, if I grow, the harvest is your own.”

The quote carries great meaning for Jones, who’s made it his mission to nurture art and culture in St. Petersburg via The Studio@620.

“We started The Studio with Dave Ellis,” Jones said on a recent visit to The Studio@620, located at 620 1st Ave. S. “We were artistic directors squared. He pursued certain things; I pursued certain things; and we met in the middle. He retired after five years, but the template was set: looking out at the community and seeing what was delicious about that and how we could amplify it, promote it, nurture it, mentor it. And then the harvest would be there for the entire community. That’s how we grew into ‘The answer is always yes.’”

Saying yes to everything has made for an interesting 17 years at The Studio@620. It’s hosted all kinds of arts, culture, and literary events. Currently, it’s home to Ann Wykell, who’s archiving The Studio@620 in collaboration with USF Nelson Poynter Memorial Library’s Special Collections Department.

How do you archive an arts space? And why start with The Studio@620? She and Nelson Poynter Memorial Library Dean Dr. Kristina Keogh offered a behind-the-scenes look into the process.

Archiving an art space is about collecting and digitizing materials that tell its story. “What we’re trying to do with this project—Bob Devin Jones at Studio 620—is gather materials to tell his story and the story of The Studio,” Keogh told CL in a phone interview.

Jones has collected 17 years worth of postcards, posters, and clippings related to Studio@620 events, but it never occurred to him to archive these things. Most of them are sitting in plastic boxes in a big office space on the second floor of The Studio building.

“We’ve done a pretty good job of, not archiving, but hoarding all the collateral, some of which we framed,” Jones tells me, pointing to a collection of posters hanging on the wall of his second-floor office at The Studio@620. They represent collaborations with The Dali, The Florida Humanities Council, Manhattan Casino, and American Stage.

literary, and social issues. She then enters them, with minimal descriptions, into a spreadsheet.

It’s these diverse categories of events, a direct result of saying yes to everything, that make The Studio unique. It’s more than just an arts space. It’s also a cultural center that values diversity and the sharing of ideas.

LOCAL ART

“When you look at the parade of events that have taken place in The Studio over the last 17 years, what’s really unique about The Studio is that it’s been a forum, a home, and a showcase for areas of activity that we consider important for diversity—lots and lots of events featuring Black culture and history, gay culture and history,” Wykell added in a phone interview.

“It’s also been a place where audiences for fine art and popular culture have crisscrossed,” Wykell continued. “And it’s been a place that’s had a real focus on social issues and social jus-

their ideas, be it an artist who wanted to put her work on the walls and see what came of it, or a playwright who wanted to get their work out on a stage, or a place for young actors to do Shakespeare. It’s been an exploration type of a space.”

USF St. Pete’s interest in the space budded from its longtime desire to document what’s unique about the Sunshine City.

“USF St. Pete historically has been very connected to the community here in St. Petersburg, so it’s definitely important to us to find out what’s unique, what’s great about this community that we live in, and how we can preserve it and share it with the rest of the world,” said Keogh. “What’s really special about Bob Devin Jones’ Studio@620 is that it’s a piece of the story of St. Petersburg. And more specifically, it’s a representation of the renaissance in the arts in St. Petersburg.”

No one knows how long the St. Pete Renaissance will last, but the seeds have been planted.

“We’re well into our second decade of the [St. Pete] Renaissance,” said Jones. “And what we know about the Renaissance in Florence: it took like 300 years. So we’re just at the beginning of ours.”

Similarly, the archiving of The Studio@620 and the St. Pete Renaissance is only in its beginning. Wykell is more than halfway through sorting the items in all those boxes, but sorting is only the first step.

JENNIFER RING

“They have hundreds of postcards and a lot of clippings from what was the St. Petersburg Times, and also Creative Loafing and The Weekly Challenger,” says Wykell, who’s in the process of going through the boxes. Wykell labels the items by event category—visual art, dance, theater,

tice. This mix is really unique. You can’t say that it’s an art or theater or music venue. It’s a studio. They named it The Studio because they envisioned it as a place for developing ideas, experimentation, and trying things out. It’s really been a place where people could bring

After Wykell’s done sorting, Special Collections scans everything that can be scanned (programs, posters, postcards, fliers), collects public media items like newspaper stories and interviews, and shapes these items into a story. Once completed, anyone can access the complete story of The Studio@620 via USF’s Digital Commons.

“There’ll be introductory materials kind of summarizing who Bob Devin Jones is and his connection to St. Petersburg,” Keogh told CL, “and then they’ll be different entry points.”

“Somebody could systematically go through all of the materials that have been digitized and added to the collection,” Keogh continues, “but we’ll utilize different digital tools. There’s something called StoryMaps that lets you tell a geographical story with the items. We can do digital exhibits where we can gather different items together. If we have interviews, that adds that oral element so you can listen to Bob or listen to people talk about him and his impact on the community. So all of those things.”

“It’s been a forum, a home, and a showcase for areas of activity that we consider important for diversity.”

YES MAN: Bob Devin Jones has created a place for exploration on 1st Avenue S.

By Josh Bradley & Ray Roa

CL Recommends

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 Merchandise 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 Room at Tampa Edition, Tampa)

FRI 23

Brokenmold

The Southern Gypsy Band Bauman, who recently moved to Nashville, just released a pair of songs, marking his first new material since relocating. Read more on p. 7) (Hooch and Hive, Tampa)

Cage Brewing Holiday Special: Casey Stineman/Manna/Wyatt Norton All month long, St. Pete’s beloved watering hole-slasharcade has hosted holiday events, from toy drives to doggo get-togethers. Culminating all of it is a live music shindig opened by Wyatt Norton—whose band, Beach Terror, had to pull out of performing for unknown reasons— and closed by Casey Stineman and his band, playing blends of folk and southern blues. It’s no cover, but please get your damn shopping done before heading out to St. Pete. (Cage Brewing, St. Petersburg)

Crowbar Christmas: Mortal Sons/The Dirty Janes/Mason Pace/Giorgi Tampa promoter Healthy Phoenix continues its practice of elevating local talent by welcoming a local rock, blues and R&B fusion group (Mortal Sons) to play along with newlyrenamed rock and roll hellraiser The Dirty Janes, mystic metal guitar slinger Mason Pace and Aurorae pianist Giorgi. Cover is half-off if you bring a new, unwrapped toy. (Crowbar, Ybor City)

Dignitary Merryjuana Christmas Party: TRC Former Buccaneers lineman is the city’s unofficial dab king, and he holds court in South Tampa inside of his Dignitary cafe, tea and kava house. For this “Merryjuana

Annual Holiday Party: Liam Bauman w/SoftBite/Madelaine &

Christmas” the media personality welcomes one of the Bay area’s longest running hip-hop groups, TRC (formerly known as The Real Clash) to play for everyone as the THC starts to hit. A cash dab bar is available for those of you who prefer the holidaze. (Dignitary Tea & Kava House, Tampa)

Guianna In recent months, St. Pete-based, Ohio-born singer-songwriter Guianna aimed to help listeners establish meditation mantras relating to embracing change, letting go, and exploration in general. Her latest album Wing heavily weighs on self-love, and a jazzy, nine-minute love letter to Jesus. Guianna performs a free outdoor show this weekend, and while her soulful vocals and soft acoustic guitar will warm your soul, bring a jacket anyway. (Biergarten at New World Brewery, Tampa)

SUN 25

New Granada Annual Xmas Extravaganza: Meatwound/Prescribed Fire/Bad Bad Things 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 Xmas show. Headlining this year is Bay area hardcore favorite Meatwound, featuring ex-members of Combatwoundedveteran, which’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. (Hooch and Hive, Tampa)

TUE 27

Shawn Brown The holidays are a time to be grateful, and Tampa Bay newbs should spend the next year getting to know Shawn Brown. One of the longest running names in the jazz scene, Brown is a bonafide Hammond god and always ready to lead open jams like this one that happens on Tuesday nights. All players are welcome to bring their own instruments or use some of the house gear. (Pete’s Place South, Tampa)

THU 29

A Drag Queen Christmas: Nina West/ more A video of conservative protestors whining about drag queens Nina West and Trinity Taylor’s Christmas tour in front of the Ace Hotel Theatre in Los Angeles recently surfaced on TikTok. But West—who portrayed Divine in “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story”—is the furthest thing from the groomer that anti-LGBTQ+ activists make her out to be (and to be honest, the groomer fear-mongering is straight up bullshit). Slaying alongside West and Taylor will be Alyssa Edwards, Brooke Lynn Hytes, and a special performance by Todrick Hall. What’s not to scream “yasss” about? (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)

Elevate Thursday: Sidetrakd x JDub Tampa Armature Works’ M. Bird already has what’s arguably the best view of the Hillsborough River and downtown Tampa, but on Thursdays it’s got some of the best EDM in town, too. This week Side Trakd— who likes to spin house, funk & drum and bass, including originals—headlines the Thursday weekly. (M. Bird, Tampa)

The Grapes w/The Grecian Urns/ Chaunces/Philip Charos If you’re a local supporter of the Bay area indie-rock scene, then this one’s easily a contender for show of the year. Headlining is The Grapes, whose lineup has recently been made whole just in time to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of its masterpiece debut full-length Hemispheres where the band introduced the Bay area to the cutting self-introspection of frontman Alexander Charos and deep musicality of his band. Also on the bill, however, is a reunion

for The Grecian Urns, who put out one of the greatest Tampa Bay indie-pop releases of all time when it gave us Lovedream in 2010. At the time, since-shuttered Reax music magazine called it “a 45-minute, harmony drenched, folk-pop jewel that glistens with touching songs about family (“Summer Salt”), chasing freedom (“The Waitress”), and what it means to live and love amongst the Spanish moss and sweltering heat of the Sunshine State (“Indian River”).” The Urns have been practicing for a few days leading up to this gig where the next generation of local pop wunderkinds (read: Chaunces) opens along with a solo set from Grapes drummer Philip Charos. (Floridian Social Club, St. Petersburg)

Have Gun, Will Travel On the heels of a new EP that dropped in September, local altrock favorites Have Gun, Will Travel is set to perform its final gig of the year on Thursday. Another EP is set to drop sometime in 2023,

and we can imagine that a good chunk of it has been completed, so don’t be shocked if the Burke brothers give you a New Year’s surprise and debut a few previews. In the meantime, enjoy the breeze and tunes at this free gig, but warm up with the band’s new video for “Our Fair City,” which is Have Gun, Will Travel’s love letter to its hometown of Bradenton. (The Ale and the Witch, St. Petersburg)

Magic City Hippies w/Cannibal Kids

Almost a year to the date after performing at the now-shuttered Orpheum in Ybor City, Miami-based psych-funk trio Magic City Hippies is once again ending its year in its home state. Before spending New Year’s Eve at the Miami Beach Bandshell, the boys— playing their first local show since release a new album, Water Your Garden —kick off their Florida stay at Orpheum’s new North Tampa outpost, alongside opener Cannibal Kids. (Orpheum, Tampa)

NICOLE KIBERT/ELAWGRR.COM

A lot’s happened with the world in the six years since Emmylou Harris played Tampa Theatre, and we’re guessing the living legend of country music will address it all next spring when she returns to Tampa Bay.

Tickets to see Emmylou Harris play Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 8 p.m. are on sale now and start at $43.25.

The 14-time Grammy winner’s last local set was a masterclass in songwriting where she traversed “Sin City” key changes and sprinted alongside her band on “Luxury Liner.” During the 20-song affair, Harris, now 75 years old, effortlessly showcased underrated guitar prowess and even shouted out Winter Haven’s Gram Parsons.

Harris, who turns 76 next year, has since received the Grammys’ Lifetime Achievement award and continued her activism for animal welfare. See Josh Bradley’s weekly new concert roundup below.—Ray Roa

Melody Calling Saturday, Jan. 7. Time TBA. No cover. Neat Coffee Bar, New Port Richey

Til Now w/Ellipsis/Kamenar/Black Clash/Social Infants/Send & Delete/ Penny Fountain/We the Generation/ Chasing Airplanes Saturday, Jan. 7. 6 p.m. $12. Orpheum, Tampa

John O’Leary w/Simon Lasky/Zach Bartholomew (opening for Chuck Owen & ReSurgence w/Kate McGarry) Sunday, Jan. 8. 4 p.m. $26-$38. Hough Hall at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg

Liquid Pennies w/Chlorinefields/Razor and the Boogie Men/Blind Pass Sunday, Jan. 8. 7 p.m. No cover. Floridian Social Club, St. Petersburg

Bullet Boys w/TBA Sunday, Jan. 15. 7 p.m. $20. Brass Mug, Tampa

Dirty Janes w/Osceola Brothers/ Johnny Mile & the Kilometers/489XY Sunday, Jan. 15. 7 p.m. No cover. Floridian Social Club, St. Petersburg

Shelly Berg and Laurence Hobgood Sunday, Jan. 15. 7 p.m. $25 & up. Side Door Cabaret at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg

Mak w/The Drain Outs/Deux Visages/ Creature Cage Friday, Jan. 20. 8 p.m. $12. Hooch and Hive, Tampa

Adam Randall w/Geri X/Will Quinlan/ TBA Sunday, Jan. 29. 7 p.m. No cover. Floridian Social Club, St. Petersburg

Gel w/Big Laugh Monday, Jan. 30. 7 p.m. $15. Crowbar, Ybor City

D.R.U.G.S. w/Varials/The Callous Baoboys/156 / Silence Wednesday, Feb. 1. 6 p.m. $20. Orpheum, Tampa

Monstrosity w/TBA Saturday, Feb. 4. 6:30 p.m. $18. Brass Mug, Tampa

Speak Easy w/Biscayne/North By North/House Of I Thursday, Feb. 9. 8 p.m. $10. Hooch and Hive, Tampa

Famous Last Words w/Limbs/Dark Divine/Vagrants/Colorblind/Discord Theory Friday, Feb. 10. 7 p.m. $18. Crowbar, Ybor City

Chicago Player Saturday, Feb. 11. 8 p.m. $20-$30. The Attic at Rock Brothers, Ybor City

Kathleen Edwards w/TBA Sunday, Feb. 19. 7 p.m. $25. Floridian Social Club, St. Petersburg

The Weight Band Wednesday, Feb. 22. 8 p.m. $29.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

G. Love & Special Sauce Friday, Feb. 24. 8:30 p.m. $31.99. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Sarah McLachlan w/Vanessa FreebairnSmith Sunday, Feb. 26. 8 p.m. $50 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Cas Haley Thursday, March 9. 8 p.m. $25$40. The Attic at Rock Brothers Brewing, Ybor City

Sabrina Carpenter Friday, March 17. 8 p.m. $40 & up. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

moe. Saturday, March 18. 8 p.m. $28.50. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

The Unique Legion Tour: Vulvodynia w/To The Grave/Viscera/Osiah/Bound in Fear Monday, March 27. 6 p.m. $20. Orpheum, Tampa

MARK SELIGER

The birthday boy

By Dan Savage

I’m a 50-year-old cis straight female writing with a question about my son. He’s 19 and in college. I’m a single mom and we are very close. When he was eight, I found him on my laptop looking at videos of “strong women” wrestling with men. Since then, that’s all he looks at online and fantasizes about. There is a particular woman he follows. For a fee, you can wrestle with her. She engages in other acts as well (BDSM), but according to my son, sex is not permitted. He says her website is very clear about this. He assures me she’s legit and has only positive online reviews. I asked to look at her website, but he was reluctant to show me due to embarrassment. I didn’t push it. Then for his upcoming birthday he asked if I would split the cost of a session with this woman: $600! My first concern is for his safety. Maybe I listen to too many true crime podcasts, but I’m worried that something bad will happen to him and I’ll never see him again. I know that many people visit sex workers and live to tell the tale. And now, as I sit here writing this, I realize that it’s sex workers who are the more vulnerable ones. So, maybe his safety is a non-issue. Still, I’m his mom and I worry. My other concern is that engaging with this woman may mess him up sexually. He hasn’t had any prior sexual experiences and I’m worried that if this woman is his first experience, it will make ordinary, real-life pedestrian sex uninteresting for him in the future.

I have no one to talk with about this which is why I’m reaching out to you. I’ve always maintained an open and non-judgmental relationship with my son, but I’m really struggling with this. He already has an appointment and I’m super ambivalent about this and need your reassurance.—They Grow Up So Fast

“I’ve always been kinky,” journalist and author Jillian Keenan wrote in her 2016 memoir “Sex With Shakespeare.” “My fetish appeared early, long before I knew anything about kink or the diversity of sexual lifestyles. As a child, I pored over any book that mentioned spanking, paddling, or thrashing. “Tom Sawyer” and “The Whipping Boy” went through many early reads, as did, believe it or not, key entries in the Oxford English Dictionary…. I looked up the definitions for “spank,” “paddle,” “thrash,” and “whip” so often that, after a few years, my dictionary automatically fell open to those pages.”

Keenan’s memoir tracks her two lifelong obsessions: the plays of William Shakespeare (way kinkier than your high school English teacher ever let on) and her love of spanking, obsessions that have intersected and informed each other in surprising ways throughout her life.

Reading “Sex With Shakespeare” might give you some comfort, TGUSF. Because Keenan, who like your son was raised by a single mom, found a

community of like-minded kinksters as an adult, found love and lost love and found love again, and along the way made a name for herself as a fearless foreign correspondent. And like Keenan, TGUSF, your son is kinky and always has been. Now, not every pre-pubescent child’s obsession becomes a full-blown kink in adulthood; if that was the way it worked, there would be a lot more dinosaur fetishists out there. (And there are some!) But your kid’s kinks, like Keenan’s kinks, were hard-wired early and a first sexual experience that’s strictly vanilla won’t erase them. He is who he is, TGUSF, and while dating is going to be a little bit more of a challenge for him, TGUSF, you son is gonna have a much easier time finding like-minded perverts out there—friends, play partners, and potential romantic partners—than kinksters did before the Internet came along.

SAVAGE LOVE

If your son is old enough to book a session with a sex worker, TGUSF, he’s old enough to pay for it himself. And if he needs to talk about it with someone and he doesn’t have a friend he can confide in about his kinks, well, that’s what Reddit and Twitter and sex-advice columnists are for. His sex life isn’t your business, and he shouldn’t make it your business. Also not your business: how your son chooses to spend his birthday money. If he spends his birthday money on a PS5, that’s something he could share with his mom. If he spends his birthday money on a sex worker, that’s something he should lie to his mom about. If your son doesn’t know he should lie to his mom about that kind of stuff yet—if he doesn’t know there are things a mom has a right not to know—then you’ll have to tell him.

P.S. My first sexual experiences were exactly what my mom wanted them to be—very straight and very vanilla— and they didn’t make any less gay or any less kinky. That’s just not the way it works.

him off and I don’t want to lose him as a friend.

Dreaded Rebound Relationship

Here’s the funny thing about rebound relationships… when they work out, no one remembers they were rebound relationships. They’re just relationships. But when two people get together shortly after one or both got out of prior relationship and it doesn’t work out, everyone stands around saying, “Oh, yeah, those rebound relationships, they never work out.”

I say this as someone who has been in a rebound relationship for almost three decades. I met my husband the first night I went out after getting my heart broken. I almost didn’t give the guy who would eventually become my husband a chance, DRR, because I’d heard—again and again and again—that rebound relationships never work out.

All that said, I don’t think you should get your son a sex worker for his birthday (or go halfsies on one), TGUSF, and I don’t think your son should’ve asked you to. Being close is fine—being close is wonderful—but you can be close and have or establish healthy and appropriate boundaries.

I’m feeling a little lost about something. I’m a 42-year-old gay man and I’ve been married for nine years. My marriage has been very rocky, and I should’ve had the courage to end it much sooner. I have now made the decision to do so and will be filing right after the holidays. When we took

“If it weren’t for rebound relationships, I wouldn’t have been with the incredible man I’ve been with for 19 years and counting,” said my friend Dr. Daniel Summers. “When we first met, I was still mired in sadness after having been unceremoniously dumped shortly before. Not only did I still have feelings for the other guy, but the man also who would eventually become my husband watched me cry over him. And then, it clicked. The guy who was right in front of me was the one I had been looking for all along. Nobody would ever call him my ‘rebound husband.’ They simply know him as the guy I was lucky enough to meet at the right time.”

AFRICA STUDIO/ADOBE

Maybe rebound relationships would have a better reputation if people like me and Dr. Summers occasionally referred to the men we married as “rebound husbands,” if only to remind people that, yes, rebound relationships sometimes work out. And since very few of us wind up married to the first person we dated seriously, most of us are in rebound relationships that somehow worked out.

“There are things a mother has a right not to know,” my mom liked to say. She knew her kids, once we were adults, were out in the world taking risks and exploring our sexualities and making mistakes and sometimes getting into trouble. Mom was there for us when the shit hit the fan, but she didn’t want to know where we were, who we were with, or what we were getting up to at all times. Because she didn’t wanna worry more than she, as a mom, was going to anyway. So, when I called my mom once from a sex dungeon in Berlin (on her birthday!), and she asked where I was, who I was with, and what I was doing, I lied to her.

a break last year and separated and during that time, I briefly met an incredible guy. More recently, I’ve come to know him better and I think he is really special. I’m not divorcing because of him, but sometimes it takes meeting a special person to realize what you’re lacking in your own relationship. I’ve talked with him about the situation, and we will remain friends whatever happens, but he doesn’t want to be a “rebound.” I don’t want to be that either. I’ve only come to know him better in the last couple of weeks, and I’m scared of asking him if he’d be open to dating me when the divorce is final. I’m afraid that if I do that, I will scare

All that said, DRR, it’s Mr. Incredible who has qualms, not you. He’s the one who’s worried about getting into a potential “rebound relationship” with someone who just got divorced. Maybe he believes what everyone assumes to be true, i.e., rebound relationships never work out, and getting into one that does work out might be the only way to convince him otherwise. Getting into one that doesn’t work out, on the other hand, could wind up confirming his priors. It’s also possible he isn’t interested in dating you—bound or rebound—and his stated wariness about being your “rebound” is a white lie meant to spare your feelings. But there’s only one way to find out how he really feels: initiate that divorce, follow through, get it finalized, and then ask Mr. Incredible—assuming he’s still single—how much more time has to pass for your relationship to be out of “rebound” territory.

Follow Dr. Daniel Summers on Twitter @ wfkars.

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

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