Paul Kwatkowski on Eat Prey Drug’s New-Age Daymare
The Miami-raised photographer and writer is on a weekly search for meaning in desperate times.
Sweet restoration at Chief’s Creole Cafe
Midtown revivers’ mom-and-pop eatery feeds N’awlins cravings with local heritage.
Staring into the abyss for National Novel Writing Month
Not many people who start National Novel Writing Month finish. But that might not be such a bad thing.
Thanksgiving feasts around Tampa Bay
Have the pros handle the cooking and baking on Turkey Day.
Anthrax’s Scott Ian drops new memoir, Chats with St. Pete’s Bob Andelman
Anthrax’s leader chronicles life in one of the world’s biggest heavy metal bands.
Tonight in live music: Ben Folds, Paint Fumes, Matisyahu, Mary Chapin Carpenter & more
Concerts this Fri., Nov. 7
Greenlight Pinellas wasn’t the only referendum quashed at the polls on Tuesday
Over the course of the last year, advocates for Greenlight Pinellas said they had learned the lessons from the problems with Hillsborough County's transit tax in 2010. And while nobody could dispute that the effort was much better organized than four years ago, the result was actually worse in terms of the percentage of the…
Theater review: Vampire Lesbians of Sodom
An early Charles Busch farce lacks bite, despite an enthusiastic cast.
Mitch Perry Report 11.6.14: How do Florida Democrats become more competitive in off-year elections?
In today's Times, some of Charlie Crist's advisors are attributing their candidate's narrow loss to Rick Scott to the $12.8 million spent by the governor on negative ads in the final week of the campaign. Perhaps. It has to be incredibly tough to come so close and yet come up just over 1 percent short…
A leaner, meaner Lisa Lampanelli
Comedy’s Queen of Mean talks about weight loss, divorce and how vulnerability has made her funnier.
SCENE BREAKER: An actor who dies, an actor on Dead, and “award” may be an exaggeration
Here’s what’s behind the curtain this week in Tampa Bay theater… PAGING SACHEEN LITTLEFEATHER… MISS LITTLEFEATHER, YOU’RE ON! Monday is the big night for the first-ever Some Sort of Theater Awards, a sendup of sorts—if the Theatre Tampa Bay Awards are the Oscars, these are the MTV Movie Awards, according to the organizers, sketch comedy…
A note from CL’s editor: On elections and other changes
They lied. They said Obamacare was a failure. (It isn’t.) They said Greenlight Pinellas was all about light rail. (It wasn’t.) They said Amendment 2 would lead lickety-split to marijuana legalization not just for the ailing, but for everybody. (If only.) And they said ISIS terrorists disguised as Mexican day laborers were going to sneak…
![Parquet Courts [Parkay Quarts] stream new album, announce January 31 show at American Legion Post 111 (UPDATE: Ticket Info!)](https://i0.wp.com/www.cltampa.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/cdd1b_parquetcourts_bybenraynerweb.png?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1)
Parquet Courts [Parkay Quarts] stream new album, announce January 31 show at American Legion Post 111 (UPDATE: Ticket Info!)
You read that right, the Legion.
Meet the Brewers: Mike Bishop of Big Storm Brewing Co.
An Odessa brewery is helping put inland Pasco County on the beer map.
Traveling through tastes & time
Ybor City food tours offer rich history and cuisine.
Restaurant review: Go fish at Mad Beach Fish House
Mad Beach Fish House, a waterside stalwart, offers a mixed bag of hits and misses.
Libertarian Adrian Wyllie underperforms in his run for governor
At the Libertarian Party of Florida's statewide convention in Tampa last spring, Vice Chairman Alex Snitker exhorted his fellow Libertarians when he shouted out to them that the placement of Amendment Two on the ballot this year was a huge boon to the party's fortunes. "They don't care about Charlie Crist, Rick Scott, Adrian Wyllie. …They…
Album review: Primus, Primus & the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble
The band hits Ruth Eckerd Hall on Wed., Nov. 12, behind their bizarrely fantastic new LP
Tampa Bay’s weekly literary happenings
Author talks, open mics, NaNoWriMo and more!
Ultimate spin? Democratic leaning pollster says political landscape “heavily” favors Dems in 2016
While Democrats contemplate their hangover after the GOP took control of the U.S. Senate last night for the first time in eight years, along comes Tom Jensen, Director of Public Policy Polling, to release a statement declaring how the political landscape heavily favors Democrats in 2016. After interviewing more than a thousand voters in critical…
Cars & Couture’s “Motorfest Weekend” to Feature a Multi Million Dollar Car Display
This weekend is Motorfest Weekend, an annual three-day-long car show/event presented by Cars & Couture, which will raise money for Autism Speaks, an organization dedicated to funding global biomedical autism research, and Wheels of Success, a program founded to help provide families in need with reliable personal transportation. Festivities begin on Nov. 7 with Cars…
A Q&A with Haley Joel Osment, star of the Tampa-filmed Sex Ed
Tampa Bay's long been the ugly redheaded step-child of Florida's film industry, usually sopping up, with stale bread, the dregs of what our state's two larger movie markets, Miami and Orlando, leave behind. But with the success of movies like Magic Mike (2012) and Spring Breakers (2012), both filmed primarily in the Tampa Bay area,…
Mitch Perry Report 11.5.14: Democratic Party devastation in the Sunshine State
Good morning, fellow Floridians. Ready for another four more years of Rick Scott as Governor? Well, ready or not, it is the reality in the Sunshine State — as is the same GOP cabinet of Pam Bondi as AG, Adam Putnam as Agriculture Commissioner, and Jeff Atwater as CFO. And for the first time since…
Tonight in live music: First Aid Kit, Gringo Star
Two shows, one night; media for both included.
Al Higginbotham beats Pat Kemp by less than 1 percent in Hillsborough County Commission contest
In a very tight race for the County Commission seat for District 7 in Hillsborough County, Pat Kemp lost to Republican Al Higginbotham by .9 percent Tuesday night. At a watch party at Ella’s Americana Folk Art Café this evening, over 100 of Kemp’s supporters, campaign workers and volunteers gathered to watch the results unfold.…
Jeff Brandes handily defeats Judithanne McLauchlan
There were great expectations a year ago when USFSP political science professor Judithanne McLauchlan announced that, disgusted by some of state Senator Jeff Brandes' votes, particularly the one against Medicaid expansion, she would run against him. And in a Senate district seat that was controlled by Democrat Charlie Justice from 2006-2010, it wasn't an absurd…
April Griffin beats back Dipa Shah, while Sally Harris stuns everyone in Hillsborough School board races
April Griffin — the occasionally combative, frequently controversial Hillsborough County School Board member opposed in her bid for a third term this year by a raft of contenders as well as her bête noire, superintendent MaryEllen Elia — is enjoying the last laugh tonight, as she easily cruised to re-election against Valrico attorney Dipa Shah. With…
Dwight Dudley tops Bill Young in the bitter HD68 race in St. Petersburg
Taking a prize for one of the nastier races in Tampa Bay area politics this fall had to be the House District 68 race in St. Petersburg between Democratic incumbent Dwight Dudley and his GOP rival, Bill Young, son of the legendary Congressman of the same name who passed away almost exactly a year ago.…
Greenlight Pinellas gets crushed at the polls
There have been two major transit tax referenda in the Tampa Bay area in the past four years, and both times the measures have been resoundingly defeated by the voters. The polls have only been closed for a little over an hour as I write this, but there is no way that Greenlight Pinellas is…
Ed Narain is looking forward toTallahassee
There were some close races in Hillsborough County on Tuesday night, but the House District 61 race wasn't one of them. That's where Democrat Ed Narain defeated a write-in candidate easily, and will represent East Tampa, Seminole Heights, West Tampa and Ybor City. Narian effectively won the seat back in late August, when he ousted…
Bill Nelson gets indignant about big money in politics
Bill Nelson isn't very happy about the unlimited money that poured into the Florida gubernatorial race, particularly by individuals like Rick Scott, who wrote himself a check for $12. 8 million of his own money in the last week of the campaign. And he says that's why Scott could remain competitive with Charlie Crist up…
Maritana Grille, Savory Spice Shop craft new menu
Four courses to take diners on a journey through Maritana and Savory flavors.
Election Day meal deal: Seabreeze Grill offers voters discount
Voters may redeem 20 percent off their tabs at Redington Shores’ Seabreeze Island Grill.
Crist says he doesn’t think there’ll be a recount tonight
Perhaps mindful that Rick Scott had told the press corps to show up at 11:45 a.m. today for a meet-and-greet in a West Tampa Cuban restaurant, but in fact showed up nearly 40 minutes earlier and was long gone by the time the majority of reporters showed up, the Charlie Crist communications team alerted reporters…
The Well-Played List, 11-4-2014: Gerard Way, Trans Upper Egypt, Hookworms & more
This week’s most jammed music; audio & video included.
Kennedy Bridge in downtown Tampa closed due to crane accident
"The best thing we can say is no one was hurt," began Mayor Bob Buckhorn in addressing reporters today, hours after a cable on a drilling rig aboard a barge snagged the Kennedy drawbridge span around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. After getting caught in the span, the rig then slid onto a tugboat pushing the barge. …
The Laugh Tract — who’s bringing the funny
Five comedy stars highlight a stellar week for stand-up comedy in Tampa Bay.
Olive Kitteridge isn’t “small” — it’s massive
Frances McDormand’s new miniseries is realistic, yes – but that only makes it more epic.
New Music Tuesday! (November 4): Bob Dylan, Deerhoof, Neil Young, Mariachi El Bronx & more
Releases out this week; audio & video included.
Digital delights: Top five YouTube cooking shows (with video)
British accents, sweets and more make CL‘s list of YouTube food channels worth watching.
Mitch Perry Report 11.4.14: Election Day is here
There's little more to be said about the races and issues before Floridians on this Election Day. The polls are open throughout the state and will be until 7 p.m. tonight, but the first statewide vote tallies won't be coming in until shortly after 8 p.m., since the Panhandle is on Central Daylight Time. So…
Pam Bondi defends her fight against the feds at an Ybor City rally
Two Florida GOP rock stars, Pam Bondi and Jeb Bush, made their way to Tampa's Ybor City Monday afternoon in a last bit of campaigning before Tuesday's general election. Appearing at the Columbia Restaurant, a bevy of Hillsborough County Republicans, most but not all on the ballot (including state Senators Jeff Brandes and Tom Lee,…
Studio@620 celebrates decade, Studio Honors in magical style
Local arts and community linchpins receive awards at an entertaining gala.
Concert review: Lake Street Dive go down smooth on a chilly night in Ybor
A look back at the Sat., Nov. 1 show, with pics.
Taste of Indian Rocks draws more than 20 restos
Eateries set to sling oysters, pizza and more at this weekend’s Taste of Indian Rocks Beach.
Urban Brew and BBQ hosts another round of ‘cue, suds
The latest beer dinner at Urban will feature five courses paired with Rapp brews.
Album review: Run The Jewels, Run The Jewels 2
The sophomore outing from El-P and Killer Mike is in a class all its own.
HART board moves to make interim CEO Katharine Eagan permanent
Although all eyes regarding local transit are focused this week on the Greenlight Pinellas measure on Tuesday's ballot in Pinellas County, there's been quite a lot of action going on this year with Hillsborough's transit agency, HART, including the possibility of the reconfiguration of its composition. Most of that action has happened under the leadership…
An Earful (Local Edition): Fistful joins New Granada Records, Crowbar toasts to 8 years, and the ‘Analogue Queue’ wants into your record collection.
Warm and fuzzy local music news for a chilly morning
Kathy Castor agrees with Congress’ low standing
Tomorrow all 435 seats in Congress are up for election. One can only surmise that once elected, they'll actually end up working on the people's business in Washington. That certainly isn't the case today, where the current Congress will go down as the least productive in the past two decades, meeting for only 110 days.…
The Hub wins over Haley Joel Osment, gets Sex Ed director drunk
“The mixed drinks are not very mixed — it’s more like 90/10 liquor to mixer.”
Mitch Perry Report 11.3.14: Medical marijuana looks to be a loser on Election Night
For supporters of getting medical marijuana legalized in Florida, the best news you heard this weekend was probably John Morgan's remarks to the Tampa Bay Times's Stephen Nohlgren on Saturday that as long as Amendment 2 is close to getting the 60 percent approval required for passage in tomorrow's election, he's prepared to fund another campaign…
Do This: The Independent’s Bar Trek!
Seminole Heights craft-brew haven screens three classic episodes.
Billy Mays III celebrates five years of noise with re-release of debut, new label
Infinite Third guru announces a slate of new projects
Just hours left to early vote in Florida
Early voting ends this afternoon at 4 p.m., and then it will be left to those old-school voters who still opt to participate on Election Day to decide Florida's gubernatorial election. Hillsborough, Pinellas and 10 other counties are open for voting today, including the Democratic strongholds of Broward and Palm Beach Counties (where there was…
This weekend in live music: Pallbearer, Lake Street Dive, Jason Derulo, Wiz Khalifa, Solids & more
Concerts this Sat.-Sun., Nov. 1-2
Do This: The Weekend Top 10
Celebrate 40 years of La France and SPIFFS plus Diavolo, Dunedin Art Harvest, theater, live music and Day of the Dead.
Kitchen Table hosts workshop, discussion on protest literature
Pull up a chair to Kitchen Table’s inaugural event at Seminole Heights Branch Library today.
Tailgating tastes: Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork Sliders & more
Easy, frugal recipes for tailgating season that you can down with one hand.
Medical Marijuana: How do you want your Weed?
“I don’t usually do this,” Ricky Stoobbins told me from his car’s driver’s seat as he made his way through downtown St. Petersburg with a potential ten year prison sentence worth of reefer on him. “I like to make one stop at a time […] and try to never have over 20 grams on me.”…
Kyle Cockream dismisses Rudy Giuliani’s review of Uber’s background check policy
While Hillsborough County officials continue to blast ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft for what they allege are flimsy background check policies, they could always do what the city of Houston is doing next week — require mandatory drug testing, fingerprinting and background checks for drivers. Those screenings will cost the company $62 per driver — a…
George Sheldon says Pam Bondi should be investigated, not re-elected
Ten years ago, revelations such as the New York Times expose this week on Attorney General Pam Bondi's pattern of dropping lawsuits or declining to investigate cases after a variety of events where she hobnobbed with the law firm Dickstein Shapiro, would be exactly the type of "October surprise" that could potentially threaten a safe…
Traveling Corks wine bar to open in former cigar shop
Wines by the glass and a retail wine store will outfit South Tampa’s new Traveling Corks.
Mitch Perry Report 10.31.14: USF medical center in downtown is definitely bigger than baseball
Random thoughts on this Happy Halloween.. If it wasn't already an established fact, the fact that the trustees overseeing USF Health's medical and education programs voted unanimously to build the new USF Morsani College of Medicine in the Channelside area yesterday should confirm the fact that a park for the Tampa Bay Rays won't be built…
Tonight in live music: Joey Bada$$, Zappaween, St. Pete Noise Fest & more
Concerts this Fri., Oct. 31 – Halloween!
Free WiFi at Curtis Hixon Park and Tampa Riverwalk
At a ribbon cutting ceremony at Curtis Hixon Park on Thursday, Mayor Buckhorn announced that there is now free WiFi there and along the Tampa Riverwalk. Joined by Bright House Network executives and staff, they envision that through technological connectivity Tampa will be a more accessible city for residents, tourists and students, and a place…
On the menu: Ulele’s under-$20 lunchtime fare
Tampa Heights’ Ulele rolled out its lunch lineup to the public Tuesday.
App cruncher — Chrome experiments & indie games
Kickstarter Pick: Nubarron By: Nastycloud One of the pros of this project: You can tell they are more than halfway done with development plus NastyCloud has plenty of app building experience. Here's a teaser of the game. The con: Reaching such a high Kickstarter goal — though I’ve been surprised before. The game's story follows an “unlucky”…
Tempus Maximus — big doin’s at Seminole Heights’ Tempus Projects
Acclaimed Tampa artist Neil Bender stands in as curator this month at Tempus Projects to bring us Haptic Tactile Fractal, a show highlighting the works of Toronto-based painter Jenal Dolson (whose work is pictured) and Brooklyn-based sculptor Nicholas Moenich. Both artists play with our perceptions of the visual and tactile, creating works with vibrant colors…
Concert review: New Wave / No Synths at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg
A look back at Sunday’s synthesizer-free tribute to the ’80s
Case closed? Rudy Giuliani gives seal of approval to Uber background check
When it comes to ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft, regulators in Tampa and around the country have been particularly concerned about one major issue: the quality of driver background checks. There have been a few high-profile cases of Uber drivers kidnapping or otherwise endangering passengers, and last month the district attorneys of San Francisco…
Poet’s notebook: The good doctor
White coat and purple coat a sleeve from both he sews. That white is always stained with blood, that purple by the rose. In the popular imagination, a poet is someone who not only writes murkily while slouching in a garret, but often emerges as some combination of alcoholic suicidal bottom-pincher. But just as our…
Tampa BayCycle BikeSmart Classes
They say once you learn to ride a bike you never forget, right? Well this is a perfect opportunity to brush up on your safety skills as the City of Tampa is partnering with Tampa BayCycle campaign to host a free "Top 10" tips in bicycle safety class for residents. The class takes place in…
Movie review: Homegrown indie The Torment of Laurie Ann Cullom cuts above DIY expectations
A Floridian filmmaker and actor showcase their emerging talents.
Do This: Bud Mayhem Memorial, Haunted Ybor, St. Pete gallery parties
Friends, artists and arts enthusiasts are invited to the Bud Mayhem Memorial at Tampa Theatre. The artist born Harry Archibald Mayhue Jr., aka Dr. Mayhem, died Oct. 22 from complications from a chronic illness. Because Halloween was his favorite holiday, guests are welcome to come in costume or even dress up as Bud. (Trust us. He…
Seven obscure records that will scare the living crap out of you this Halloween
Some bone-chilling Halloween jams from left of center.
Man on a Mission: Fabien Cousteau
The grandson of the world’s most famous oceanographer will be in St. Pete for the BLUE Ocean Film Festival.
The BLUE Ocean Film Fest sails into St. Pete
The international filmfest and conservation summit is on a mission to save the seas.
Tonight in live music: Miles Davis Tribute, Pre-Fest 2, Day 2 & more
Concerts this Thurs., Oct. 30
Album review: Sunbears!, Future Sounds
The New Granada-repped psych rockerers present a stunning sophomore outing
Election day 2014: A viewer’s guide to the midterms
Back in the day (and by that we mean the ’80s) the broadcast TV networks used to go all out in their coverage of the midterms, the November elections held at the two-year mark between presidential contests. But that hasn’t happened since the advent of cable news. So if you’re mainly interested in who’s going…
