

Do This: World by a String: Masters of Puppetry Exhibition
More than 100 different puppets and masks from all around the world.
MOSI flashes forward with driverless vehicle, drones and robots
MOSI’s new exhibit brings the future that much closer.
Gather at CL Space for an Ybor family affair
The DiPietras’ Ybor Stories show offers characters of the Tampa historic district’s past and present.
A Lightning fan’s vow: I still believe
One of my favorite musicians, Frank Turner, has a song called I Still Believe. In it there’s the line, “And I still believe that everyone can find a song for every time they’ve lost and every time they’ve won.” Interpret it as you will. In this case, I’m taking a very literal stance. There is…
Ditch the frappe: Kings Arms Coffee pop-up hits Tampa
Tampa residents may now get their craft coffee fixes from the Kings Arms Coffee Co. pop-up shop.
Movie Review: Inside Out
Pixar gets inside our heads and our hearts with the clever, inventive Inside Out.
Movie Review — Dope
We have to say it — Dope is straight-up dope.
Theater Review —TampaWorks 2015: Play Local
A look at Stageworks and Gorilla Theatre’s local-centric one-act show.
Theater Review — My Children! My Africa!
The Heather Theatre’s production examines the power of words.
Sh*t happened 6/18/15: Volleyball, St. Pete city budget, Wet ‘n Wild closing
Ah, the four S's that define Florida in the eyes of the world. Sun. Sand. Surf. And, of course, Some Idiot Did Something Idiotic. FIVB, the International Volleyball Federation, brought its series of Grand Slam competitions to St. Pete for the first time ever. The games continue through the weekend, so it's a bit early…
Memories of Bud
Colleagues of Lee from Weekly Planet days reflect on the artist and the man.
He saw it all: Remembering Bud Lee (1941-2015)
Remembering the keen eye and open heart of the late photographer Bud Lee.
Spirits-ual healing: A look at St. Petersburg Distillery
This reporter’s favorite spirits from St. Petersburg Distillery, pro cocktail ideas included.
The Florida Dance Festival kicks it at USF
Much more than just beautiful bodies in motion.
Jeb to land in Tampa Friday
In any given presidential election cycle, the Tampa Bay area gets a decent share of visits from presidential hopefuls, given that conventional wisdom posits the I-4 corridor is kind of a divining rod for the rest of the nation. The Tampa Bay area is also kind of a political epicenter for Florida, if you ask…
Do This: UT’s Lectores
There’s a new woman in charge at the semi-annual literary event series: Erica Dawson.
Spiked! Local tattoo Earl Noble to co-star on TV reality competition series
The award-winning pro was handpicked for Spike TV’s Ink Master, premiering this Tuesday.
Updated: Did Trump hire actors to populate his presidential run announcement?
After we blogged about Donald Trump's bizarre presidential campaign announcement, we promised ourselves we wouldn't make a regular thing of writing about him, not when there are things of substance upon which we are duty-bound to shed light. But, alas, in fewer than 24 hours, we have broken our vow to alert you of the…
The Laugh Tract — Who’s Bringing the Funny
Gallagher, David Mann, Alonzo Bodden, Steve Miller and other comics take the mic.
Concert review: The War on Drugs at The Ritz Ybor
A look back at the Mon., June 15 concert in Ybor City
Five Courses: Fresh chapter for The Queens Head & more
The Queens Head’s new ownership, changes at The Bourgeois Pig and more in food and drink.
Way Back Wednesday: Timbaland
A weekly video spotlight on influential artists who came up pre-’00s
Restaurant review: In good company at The Blind Goat
Tampa’s Blind Goat Food and Drink Co. charms with tasty drinks, bar fare and an inviting feel.
Cigar City, Cattlemen’s Foundation collaborate on new beefy brew
Honoring the Florida cattle industry, Cigar City’s Cow Boss Imperial Milk Stout will debut mid-June.
Watch Snoop Dogg tell an amazing story about his first time meeting Tupac
And Michael Rapaport was there to witness it all.
Sh*t happened 6/17/15: Trump, cops and more cops
America is a land of laws. Unfortunately, we don't have one preventing a wealthy, delusional gasbag with all the leadership qualities of a bitter late-season kumquat from turning the dark comedy of our political process into out-and-out satire. Donald Trump is running for president again, maybe even for real this time. Those who care to will…
Tonight in live music: UNRB Collateral Jammage EP Release Show, Chronixx and Zincfence Redemption
A few concerts happening this Wed., June 17
Lightning give their all, come up short in Stanley Cup Final
It’s been a sad day for Tampa Bay. The Blackhawks’ 2-0 Game 6 victory ended the Lightning’s valiant playoff run and the Stanley Cup Final last night in Chicago at the United Center. They played a record-tying 26 games this postseason — more games than most of players on the team have ever played in…
Grady Judd to preach in sheriff uniform about how we should all be Christian
Florida's Joe Arpaio, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, is reportedly doing sermons. One he's fond of delivering, according to Fox 13, is titled "Wouldn't the world be better if everyone behaved like a Christian?" (To which we ask, which ones? The kind, nonjudgmental ones or the ones that fear and judge everything and want everyone else…
The tipping point: how some local restaurants assure workers get their fair share
Editor's note: In conjunction with a story about wage theft that ran in our 2015 Food Issue, intern Jasmine Wildflower Osmond asked a couple of local restaurants how they deal with making sure wait staff, who often rely on tips for survival, get their fair share in a world where extensive credit card tipping could, in…
Seeing green: Sweet Peas snags Green America award
Green America recognized Dunedin’s Sweet Peas Café for being people- and planet-minded.
New Music Tuesday! (June 16): Phish, mewithoutyou, James Taylor, Yukon Blonde & more
Albums out this week, with lots of audio streams & videos included.
Yass! Donald Trump is running for president again!
So, first of all, according to Politico, he approached the podium as Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" played, which is basically tantamount to Lee Greenwood's terrible "Proud to be an American" blasting (non-ironically) at an Occupy rally. But Donald Trump probably didn't know that, or care, as he declared that he would be…
Lawmakers reach late-night accord on budget, will likely get hit with lawsuit over environment
Top GOP state legislators were working till nearly midnight (which for them is like 4 a.m.) finalizing a state budget proposal in the most stereotype-reinforcing manner possible: in a back-room deal, with no media, with plenty of attention to monied interests. But at least they got it done, which is why they were in Tallahassee…
Whiskey party: New World Celts of Brandon celebrate James Joyce
Saturday’s James Joyce Whiskey Tasting and Dinner to have plenty of Guinness cake to go around.
Tonight in live music: Meridian, Big Daddy Love, Tuesday Original Music Series
Concerts happening this Tue., June 16
Sh*t happened 6/16/15: Bush all in, Bolts fall out
The world didn't end last night, even though it probably felt like it did for some. (And others just got another Sign Of Impending Apocalypse.) The Lightning lost Game 6 2-1, and thus the Stanley Cup. It was an agonizing end to a series that began with an almost unbelievable level of local excitement, but…
The Jebening is upon us
Six months into his run for the U.S. presidency, former Florida Governor John Ellis Bush, now known as Jus' Jeb!, has announced he is running for president next year. Speaking before a crowd of 3,000 in South Florida, Bush said words. "I will run with heart," he said, according to the Tampa Bay Times. "And…
Theater Review: Five Women Wearing the Same Dress
Female-driven dramedy entertains at Carrollwood Players Theatre in Tampa.
Tampa market appeals to expanding Corner Bakery Cafe
Fast-casual Corner Bakery Cafe to target Tampa and five other Southeast cities for expansion.
Janet Jackson is bringing a new album to Amalie Arena on September 24
Tickets for the Unbreakable World Tour go on sale June 22 at 10 a.m. EST
Peter Meinke named Florida Poet Laureate
Helen Pruitt Wallace will succeed the CL columnist as St. Petersburg’s Laureate.
Concert review: WMNF British Invasion Tribute Show at Skipper’s Smokehouse
Locals played sets by artists ranging from the Rolling Stones to Them at the latest ‘MNF tribute show; pics included.
Bollocks! John Cleese and Eric Idle to headline Ruth Eckerd Hall
The Monty Python legends have booked two dates this October!
Una Voce triumphs with I Am Harvey Milk
The Florida Men’s Chorale rises to the challenge of Andrew Lippa’s oratorio.
Sh*t happened 6/15/15: LeBron’s junk, grow-house bust, Lightning lose it & more
'Twas definitely a sports-y kind of weekend. Dizzying heights! Demoralizing lows! Oh, and somebody forgot how groovy their fresh batch of weed plants smelled. FRIDAY, JUNE 12 That magical nexus of sports and the internet fizzed over with the news that Cleveland Cavalier LeBron James maybe, probably, almost certainly revealed his junk on ABC right…
Tonight in live music: The War on Drugs
Adam Granduciel’s rootsy breezy psych rock outfit hits The Ritz Ybor this Mon., June 15
The Weekend Shift: The encyclopedia of hangovers
The thing that hangovers have in common with childbirth is that they’re worth it. They must be, because who among us gorgeous bastards hasn’t sworn off the drink after a particularly soul-crushing hangover, and yet eventually gone back for more. After nearly two-decades of exhaustive research on the subject, I’ve learned various factors come into…
Concert review: The Rolling Stones still let it rock at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando
The veteran rockers made their only Florida stop on their “Zip Code” tour this past Fri., June 12; photos & setlist included
Bishop’s blunder bites Bolts, benefits Blackhawks
After registering just two shots in the first period of Game 4, their lowest single-period total of the postseason, the Blackhawks jumped out to a quick start in Game 5, testing Lightning goalie Ben Bishop very early on. By the 1:10 mark, the Hawks matched their Game 4 1st period total and outshot Tampa Bay…
This Sunday in live music: Gipsy Kings, Summerland Tour, Bret Michaels & more
Concerts happening this Sun., June 14
Do This: The Weekend Top 10
A live cow in a gallery, Stanley Cup Final, fierce female comics, great theater, Tampa Bay History Center’s ideal Father’s Day exhibit and more.
This Saturday in live music: Freekbass, Lil’ Dicky, WMNF Tribute to the British Invasion & more
Live music happening this Sat., June 13
Grown-up spelling bee a hit in the burg
The event was a S-U-C-C-E-S-S. Looking forward to the next showdown.
From Tampa to pro-wrestling icon — RIP Dusty Rhodes
So long to the sports “American Dream.”
Activist: Bro Bowl demolition to start next week
Tampa Bay area skateboarders could have one more weekend to traverse the historic Bro Bowl. The popular skating area, located within Perry Harvey, Sr. Park just north of Downtown Tampa, will reportedly be dismantled starting Tuesday, Shannon Bruffett tells us. He heads the Tampa chapter of the Skateboarding Heritage Foundation and has skated there since he…
The Hip Hop ABCs: The winner of Letter P; vote on Letter Q
Welcome back to the Hip Hop ABCs, an alphabetically inclined quest to find the best that rap music has to offer. For each letter, Creative Loafing readers vote to decide which artist or group deserves the most recognition. This week we vote on the letter Q, but before we get to that, we must pay…
Parenting Tweets book series finds humor in the perils of parenthood
Authors of The Big Book of Parenting Tweets series will hold a book signing at WestShore Plaza on June 14
Weekend Tune-Up: Tunes for your weekend by Muse, Gardens & Villa, FFS & more
A playlist of 15 tunes to launch you into the weekend, Spotify playlist included.
Orange you glad, binge watchers?!
Orange is the New Black dropped early last night in a hyped Netflix publicity stunt. Some wishes and predictions for the new season.
St. Pete Council tries to ease woes of recycling whiners, er, critics
So, the recycling bin rollout (literally, amiright!) in St. Pete has been a tad shaky to say the least. Basically, instead of being happy the last major city in the state is finally doing curbside (what the hell took so long?!), a vocal minority has been complaining about the 96-gallon bins outside their homes being…
Souzou restaurant debuts to St. Pete’s Uptown June 22
Asian fusion grub will accompany sushi, cocktails, international wine and more at St. Pete’s Souzou.
Tampa Heights residents stand up against I-275 expansion
Tampa Heights has developed into a vibrant neighborhood and a vital cog in the resuscitation of Tampa's urban core, but a highway expansion plan dating back to the mid '90s is forcing a clash between the area's past and present, creating a conflict that will define the future of the Heights and what the city…
Sh*t happened 6/12/15: ACLU sues Scott, gay adoption ban lifted, RIP Bud Lee
Eventually, he rolled off of her with a sigh. "It's OK," she said, reaching for the glass of wine on the nightstand. "We've had a lot to drink." "It's not that." He sat up, lit a cigarette and dragged heavily. "I just can't stop thinking about Thursday." Get ready to die from shock: The ACLU…
Cowspiracy: Factory farm doc screens at Ybor Muvico
Muvico Centro Ybor to host one-time screening of Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret June 25.
Tonight in live music: Eternal Summers, Yellow Claw, David Crosby & more
Concerts happening this Fri., June 12
Vasilesvkiy makes surprise career-first playoff start for Lightning in Game 4
With Ben Bishop out for an undisclosed injury, 20-year-old rookie goaltender Andrei Vasilesvkiy was thrown into action to start Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Vasilesvkiy became the sixth goaltender in NHL history to make his first career playoff start in the Stanley Cup Final. He was also the…
So Gourmet brings its European style to Tampa
More European-inspired tapas hit the area this summer via Tampa’s new So Gourmet eatery.
Dark & Sinful: Thanks, I’m stuffed — food and sex
Food and sex go way back. In Genesis, the serpent seduces Eve, getting her to eat the eternal life-ending apple. See Warrant’s “Cherry Pie,” Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and Nicki Minaj’s “Truffle Butter.” Watch the episode of Seinfeld where George downs a hoagie while getting busy or 9½ Weeks when Mickey Rourke…
Another day, another food assault arrest in Florida
Earlier this week, we wrote about a Treasure Island man who got arrested after allegedly assaulting his roommate with a slice of pizza. Days later, an Oldsmar woman was arrested for throwing a hamburger at her boyfriend, hitting him in the eye. Two reports of food assault in the week that happens to coincide with…
Florida abortion wait period bill sees backlash, lawsuit
Yesterday, Governor Rick Scott signed a bill requiring women seeking an abortion to wait at least 24 hours between seeing a doctor to obtain the procedure and actually obtaining the procedure, with only a narrow set of exceptions. Its passage in the state legislature during session occurred along party lines, of course, with Democrats criticizing…
The Food Issue: A deliciously decadent foodie spa treatment
A food-themed Tampa luxury hotel offers some interesting takes on massage and more.
Eat your heart out during Tampa Bay Restaurant Week
Annual Tampa Bay Restaurant Week commenced Thursday, with 70-plus participating eateries.
The Food Issue: Tasty rhymes — 11 food referential hip-hop tracks
Artists ranging from Action Bronson to Outkast use food to reflect on sex, power, drugs and more; Spotify playlist included
The Food Issue 2015
Tampa Bay’s best eats, by the numbers
Tonight in live music: Beta Play with The Tragic Thrills, Three Cents Short
A few shows happening this Thurs., June 11.






