11 minute read
Calendar
THE
2021-22
WINTER/SPRING WINTER LIGHTS
NOV. 26-JAN. 2 ENCHANT CHRISTMAS, TROPICANA FIELD
Dazzling Enchant Christmas transports visitors to a sparkling winter wonderland, complete with a fun ice-skating trail, beautiful Christmas light maze ( nd all nine reindeer), children’s play area, and shops and food areas. Meet Santa, browse the local vendors’ Christmas Market for holiday gifts, and stop for a bite to eat, or get a holiday-themed drink at the Ice Bar. Ice-skating is free with your ticket, and you can rent a pair of skates at the event. enchantchristmas.com
START YOUR ENGINES
FEBRUARY 25-27, 2022, FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX, ST. PETERSBURG
Get your adrenaline racing at the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix on St. Petersburg’s downtown streets and waterfront. is exciting four-day experience brings visitors from around the world annually to enjoy the inaugural event of the NTT IndyCar open-car racing season. Expect to see famous drivers and other athletes, pick up an autograph or two, and enjoy plenty of live entertainment, tasty festival fare, beer gardens and activities for all ages. Tickets may be limited daily. gpstpete.com
8
GREAT THINGS THIS SEASON
Gasparilla Pirate Fest
Jan. 22, 29; Feb. 26 Let the rollicking fun commence! Top annual pirate invasion events include Gasparilla Children’s Parade Jan. 22, Gasparilla Pirate Fest Jan. 29, and Gasparilla Outbound Voyage Feb. 26. gasparillapiratefest.com
Summer: The Donna Summer Muscial
Jan. 11-16 Top hits and high-energy dance moves make Summer: The Donna Summer Musical a must-see retelling of the diva’s life and career. strazcenter.org
Frozen
March 23-April 3 Fans of Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven will love this Broadway touring musical, which includes seven songs from the Disney megahit, plus 12 new songs. Recommended for ages 6 and older. strazcenter.org
Tampa Bay Lightning
Through Apr. 26 Can the Bolts do it again? Follow the NHL champs at home games as they pursue a third consecutive Stanley Cup championship. amaliearena.com
Breaking Boundaries
Through Jan. 2 The Woman Who Broke Boundaries: Photographer Lee Miller features portraits of important writers and artists, plus images of the liberation of Paris and Germany at the end of WWII. thedali.org
DTSP Songwriters Festival
Nov. 5-7 Enjoy free acoustic performances by Even Stevens, Chris Barron and Kristian Bush’s Dark Waters band and a lineup of over 100 acoustic singer/songwriters from all over the country
at this second-annual downtown event. dtspsongwritersfestival.com
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Nov. 22-Jan. 16 Root for the Super Bowl 55 champs at home games, as Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and the Bucs seek a repeat in their grab for the Super Bowl ring. raymondjamesstadium.com
Florida State Fair
Feb. 10-21 Admission includes expo exhibits, agricultural events, music acts, circus and thrill shows and more. Amusement rides, midway games and food items are not included. Parking at the Florida State Fairgrounds is free. oridastatefair.com
FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX
WHERE NOW
8 Tampa Museums to Dazzle and Engage Your Senses
Tampa and St. Petersburg are home to exceptional, can’t-miss art and history museums that provide a feast for your eyes, mind and imagination. Prehistoric Florida and Bronze Age pieces rub shoulders with modern-day art depicting the Wild West, gleaming antique automobiles and stunning Chihuly glass sculptures. Steep yourself in beauty and history at Tampa Bay’s top museums. LYNN WAALKES
(CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT): A MEDICI PANEL FROM THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS; THE DIONYSUS SCULPTURE, PART OF THE ANCIENT GALLERY AT THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS; SCULPTURES AND PAINTINGS AT THE JAMES MUSEUM OF WESTERN & WILDLIFE ART.
ART MUSEUMS
You’d expect a museum dedicated to surrealist Salvador Dalí to be innovative, and The Dalí Museum meets all expectations. Named one of the world’s 10 most interesting museums by Architectural Digest, the museum showcases Dalí’s genius in its architecture, including a geodesic glass bubble that features 1,062 triangular glass panels, a helical staircase and exterior Avant-garden. Inside, view selections from more than 2,400 Dalí works. Download the free museum app and view an augmented reality version of eight Dalí masterpieces. thedalí.org
Boasting a collection of more than 14,000 objects, the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg covers almost 5,000 years of civilization and art from every part of the globe. The MFA includes masterpieces from Monet, Rodin, O’Keeffe, De Kooning and others, a sculpture garden, glass gallery and photography collections. Upcoming exhibits include a display of American quilts circa 1800-1930 (through Jan. 23, 2022) and art photography of the 1970s (through April 3, 2022). mfastpete.org
Go West at the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, which captivates guests with its stellar collec-
tion of art, sculpture, jewelry and artifacts. Eight galleries cover various aspects of Western art: landscapes, the early West, native life, native artists, jewelry, the frontier, the new West and wildlife. While most of the collection is by contemporary artists, the Early West Gallery displays art by Frederic Remington, Charles M. Russell and New Mexico’s Taos Society of Artists. Traveling exhibitions include “Warhol’s West” (through Jan. 9, 2022), which explores Andy Warhol’s fascination with the American West. thejamesmuseum.org
A 20-foot sculpture welcomes you with a promise of a visual feast at the Morean Art Center Chihuly Collection. The permanent collection of glass sculptures by renowned artist Dale Chihuly includes dazzling large-scale works and popular series. Galleries display the glass sculptures to their best effect to create a “wow” experience. After visiting the Chihuly collection, explore the galleries of the Morean Arts Center across the street to view works by emerging and acclaimed artists. Check online for a schedule of glass blowing demonstrations at the Morean Glass Studio and Hot Shop. moreanartscenter.org
Can’t get enough of art glass sculptures? The Imagine Museum displays approximately 500 exceptional studio art glass works at a time from the Trish Joy Collection of over 1,500 contemporary works. Explore the American Studio Glass Movement, a group of renowned artists that showcase themes related to the properties of glass. Temporary exhibits include the monumental glass sculptures of Dutch artist Peter Bremers (through Jan. 16, 2022) and “Contemporary European Masters” (through December 2021). imaginemuseum.com
THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS IN ST. PETERSBURG.
HISTORY AND SPECIALTY MUSEUMS
Blending art and history, the Henry B. Plant Museum, housed in the 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel, opens the world of Victorian resort opulence to visitors. Also home to the University of Tampa, this striking hotel is a National Historic Landmark. Immerse yourself in Florida’s early tourist industry as you take in its original furnishings and an eclectic mix of 1890s art, sculptures, ceramics, clocks and more. Catch the “When the Train Comes Along” exhibit (through Dec. 23, 2021), which explores the impact of Booker T. Washington at the Tampa Bay Casino in 1912. The Plant Museum is free to active-duty military and their families. plantmuseum.com
Satisfy your curiosity about Tampa Bay’s origins at the Tampa Bay History Center, set on Tampa’s picturesque Riverwalk. From
TAMPA BAY AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM
Florida’s original inhabitants some 10,000 years ago to Tampa Bay’s development as a major port city, the museum provides a fascinating look at the region’s history and culture. Admire Seminole crafts, learn the story of immigrants who helped shape “Cigar City,” and see two different perspectives on the Second Seminole War. Map lovers will want to visit the Touchton Map Library/Florida Center for Cartographic Education’s comprehensive map collections of Florida. tampabayhistorycenter.org
Gleaming beauties of the early years of automobile innovation sit proudly on display at the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum. Vintage vehicles showcase their creators’ exceptional skill in engineering and design. Each vehicle was chosen based on its impact on the evolution of the automobile. Get to know the inventors who changed our world through science and innovation. The museum makes a side jaunt in one wing, where you’ll nd vintage European posters featuring early 1900s cinema, political and entertainment themes. tbauto.org
WHERE NOW Best Sunset Views in Tampa Bay
Skies the color of cotton-candy pink and mandarin orange set the scene for fun, as day slips into night over Tampa Bay. Rooftop bars and outdoor lounges tucked into unexpected enclaves lure spectators nightly for a front row seat, as a picturesque cocktail celebrates the conclusion of another fabulous day. Here are some choice spots to visit when you want to soak in the sun’s last few spectacular rays. MARISA LANGFORD
is Tampa rooftop lounge only opens in the late afternoon and does not o er reservations, so plan to arrive early to secure a spot near the edge or a larger table for your group. e trendy bar o ers tropically inspired cocktails with fresh ingredients and light bites and is situated in a perfect location to view the sunset, atop of one of Tampa’s hottest food halls, Armature Works.
1903 MARKET ST. 813.296.2702 MBIRDTAMPA.COM
If viewing the sunset is a family a air, Ulele is the place to be. Opt for the outdoor patio, where you can let your kids be kids. While you wait for Charbroiled Oysters, Alligator Hush Puppies and Gouda Grouper, wet your whistle with the Wedding Beer, a Ulele Spring Brewery original, and take in sunset views overlooking the Hillsborough River.
1810 N. HIGHLAND AVE. 813.999.4952 ULELE.COM
OYSTERCATCHERS
Quietly tucked away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Tampa, Oystercatchers is the perfect spot to catch a beautiful sunset and panoramic views of Old Tampa Bay. Relax on the outside patio or the lower bay-level deck with beachside rattan day beds or toes-in-the-sand reside circles. Sip on featured wines and dine on the fresh catches of the day. Reservations are recommended for weekend visits.
EDGE ROOFTOP COCKTAIL LOUNGE
Grab your friends and head into the heart of South Tampa. Take the elevator to the top of the Epicurean hotel and EDGE Rooftop Cocktail Lounge. You’re greeted with a fresh, classic take on sophisticated food and drink, as the sunset calms the heat and provides a relaxing ambiance. Sip on a Dutch Mule or Garden Gimlet and nibble on snacks like the Shrimp Cocktail, Rosemary Chili Almonds or Formaggi E Salumi charcuterie and cheese board.
BALLAST POINT PARK
Quaint and hidden at the end of Bayshore Blvd., Ballast Point Park is situated on the east coast of the bay and o ers beautiful views of the downtown Tampa skyline from its 600-foot shing pier. It’s the perfect spot for families looking for a peaceful evening in Tampa Bay. Pack a picnic and spend the evening at the splash pad or on the playground, then grab a scoop of ice cream before you enjoy the sunset with Tampa in the background.
ULELE
EDGE ROOFTOP COCKTAIL LOUNGE BALLAST POINT PIER
THE SANDBOX BEACH LOUNGE AT RUMFISH BEACH RESORT
Watching the sun set over the Gulf is a must-do whenever you visit Tampa Bay. One of our favorite family-friendly spots is The Sandbox Beach Lounge at RumFish Beach Resorts. Take in nightly campfire s’mores, live music, a sandcastle playground and sunset drink specials to-go along with the unobstructed views of the magic that turns day into night. The show never disappoints.
6000 GULF BLVD., ST. PETE BEACH 727.360.5551 TRADEWINDSRESORT.COM/RESORTACTIVITIES/BEACH-AND-POOLS/SANDBOX-BEACH-LOUNGE
HI-FI ROOFTOP BAR
Originally opened in the 1920s, the Fenway Hotel has a long and storied past, tied intimately to the burgeoning Jazz Age of the last century. e newly constructed Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar celebrates that legacy, taking the place of the hotel’s original speakeasy located in the basement. Pair craft cocktails and local beers with a view of St. Joseph Sound for an unforgettable evening at this 21-and-up hotspot. You won’t go wrong with a Fenway Daiquiri.
OCEAN HAI
Head to Clearwater to dine at Ocean Hai at the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, a top choice for dinner and drinks with a view. Located across the street from one of America’s top beaches, the views over Clearwater Beach are magical. Enjoy sushi and a lychee martini or an Asian Pear Smash for dinner before taking a stroll on the sugar sand beach.
100 CORONADO DRIVE, CLEARWATER BEACH 727.281.9544 WYNDHAMGRANDCLEARWATER.COM/DINING/OCEAN-HAI
HI-FI ROOFTOP BAR
