A nature field photograph by Peter Houlihan showing Mac Stone. Captured in a wide horizontal shot inside a dense swamp habitat, conservation photographer Mac Stone crouches in dark water beneath a curved tree trunk. He wears a wide-brimmed bucket hat, a light blue long-sleeved button-down shirt, and dark trousers, looking directly at the camera while positioning camera trap equipment, with a mounted weather-resistant camera housing set on a post to his right under diffused forest light.
Mac Stone Credit: Peter Houlihan

In the September issue of National Geographic, Mac Stone painted Florida in a majestic light with photography that captured the annual striped mullet migration. In his photos, millions of mullet look like walls in the ocean as they move south to spawn. The photos alone can radicalize someone into a conservationist, but the videos that came out of the project will finish the job.

The 42-year-old Virginia Tech grad spends a lot of time in the swamp, too. His latest book, “Cypress: The Last Old-Growth Swamps” (out now via University Press of Florida) is a decade-long project that’s taken the form of a 216-page behemoth featuring 144 photos of the South’s ancient cypress wetlands—including Naples’ Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

Stone will discuss that work in downtown Tampa as part of Tampa Bay History Center’s ongoing “Florida Conversations” series. It’s $5 for non-members, and there is a no-cover option on Zoom.

Tickets to Florida Conversations: An Evening with Mac Stone happening Wednesday, Nov. 4 at Tampa Bay History Center in Tampa are still available.

See more of Tampa Bay’s best things to do Oct. 29-Nov. 5 below.

FALL/HALLOWEEN

Art After Dark: Halloween Edition Thursday, Oct. 29. 5 p.m. $16; no cover for members and under 17. Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. mfastpete.org

Chopping Mall Thursday, Oct. 29. 10 p.m. $13; $10 for members. Tampa Theatre, Tampa

The Coven Party: Ladies Heights Happy Hour Thursday, Oct. 29. 6 p.m. No cover. Shuffle, Tampa. shuffletampa.com

Downtown St. Pete Toastmasters Open House & Costume Contest Thursday, Oct. 29. 6:15 p.m. No cover. Connect St. Pete, St. Petersburg. mindmaprenovations.com


Forbidden Fruits Thursday, Oct. 29. 7:15 p.m. $13; $10 for members. Tampa Theatre, Tampa

Farm-O-Ween Friday, Oct. 30. 5:30 p.m. No cover. St. Pete Youth Farm, St. Petersburg. stpeteyouthfarm.org

Halloween Carnival Friday, Oct. 30. 6 p.m. $10; no cover for trick-or-treating. Palm Harbor Parks & Recreation, Palm Harbor. phparksandrec.org

Halloween Fest at USF St. Petersburg Friday, Oct. 30. 5:30 p.m. No cover. USF St. Petersburg Campus, St. Petersburg. usf.edu

Nightmare on Sapphic Street with Magan & Dayn (Halloween bash) Friday, Oct. 30. 9 p.m. $19.01 & up. Park & Rec DTSP, St. Petersburg. dirtymatriarch.com

October Ghost Hunt Friday, Oct. 30. 11:30 p.m. $42.80. Gigglewaters, Safety Harbor. gigglewaters.com

Monster Haus Friday, Oct. 30. 8 p.m. $15. The Bricks, Ybor City. 


Scream Friday, Oct. 30. 7 p.m. $13; $10 for members. Tampa Theatre, Tampa

Show Car Soirée Trunk or Treat Friday, Oct. 30. 6 p.m. No cover with RSVP. Fenway Hotel, Dunedin

Wes Craven’s New Nightmare Friday, Oct. 30. 10 p.m. $13; $10 for members. Tampa Theatre, Tampa

13 Ugly Men Halloween Party Saturday, Oct. 31. 8 p.m. $67 & up. Cuban Club, Ybor City. 13uglymen.com

Amped Halloween Costume Party Saturday, Oct. 31. 7 p.m. $15. FloridaRAMA Gallery, St. Petersburg. Floridarama.art

Fenway Fright Night Saturday, Oct. 31. 7 p.m. $59 & up. Fenway Hotel, Dunedin

Ghost Hunt at South Ward School Site Saturday, Oct. 31. 8 p.m. $129 & up. Clearwater Historical Society Museum, Clearwater. silentslayertours.com

Halloween (1978) Saturday, Oct. 31. 6 p.m. $13; $10 for members. Tampa Theatre, Tampa

Halloween III: Season of the Witch Saturday, Oct. 31. 9 p.m. $13; $10 for members. Tampa Theatre, Tampa

Halloween Costume Contest Friday-Saturday, Oct. 30-31. No cover. Emerald City Comics, Pinellas Park. emeraldcitycomics.com

Halloween Creepy Crawl Saturday, Oct. 31. 1 p.m. No cover. DRV Gallery, Gulfport. drvgallery.com

Hocus Pocus Saturday, Oct. 31. 3 p.m. $13; $10 for members; no cover for 12 and under. Tampa Theatre, Tampa

Indie’s Spook-o-delic Halloween Bash Saturday, Oct. 31. 8 p.m. The Independent, Tampa. independentbartampa.com

Kenwood Halloween Party w/Brandy Stark’s Portable Paranormal Museum Saturday, Oct. 31. 4 p.m. No cover. Historic Kenwood, St. Petersburg. halloweeninkenwood.com

Mall-O-Ween Saturday, Oct. 31. 2 p.m. (Trick-or-treating starts at 5 p.m.). No cover. Gulf View Square Mall, Port Richey. shopgulfviewsquare.com

PAWlloween 2026 Saturday, Oct. 31. 12 p.m. No cover. Pinellas Ale Works, St. Petersburg. pawbeer.com

Spookeasy: Madame Laveau in the VooDoo Lounge Saturday, Oct. 31. 6 p.m. $55; $50 for members. Historic Andrews Memorial Chapel, Dunedin. dunedinmuseum.org

Trunk or Treat Saturday, Oct. 31. 6 p.m. No cover. American Legion Post 111, Tampa

WMNF’s Halloween Pot Luck Open House Saturday, Oct. 31. 5 p.m. No cover with reservation. WMNF Studios, Tampa. wmnf.org

THEATER

Jobsite Theater: Misery Select times and dates Wednesday-Sunday, through Nov. 8. $47.40 & up. Jaeb Theater at Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa

Sophisticated Ladies Select times and dates Wednesday-Sunday,  through Nov. 22. $21 & up. Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Sarasota

Carrie: The Musical Select times and dates Thursday-Sunday, through Nov. 1. $32.50. Bradenton Kiwanis Theater at Manatee Performing Arts Center, Bradenton

Hamilton Select times and dates Wednesday-Sunday, through Nov. 8. $75 & up. Morsani Hall at Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa

Dear Evan Hansen Select times and dates Thursday-Sunday,  through Nov. 1. $35 & up. Stone Hall at Manatee Performing Arts Center, Bradenton

Dracula Select times and dates through Nov. 1. $22 & up. Francis Wilson Playhouse, Clearwater

The Cottage Sunday, Nov. 1. 4 p.m. $60. Early Bird Dinner Theater, Clearwater

Meteor Shower Select times and dates Wednesday-Sunday, Nov. 4-22. $20 & up. American Stage, St. Petersburg

A&E

Cats With Scissors: (Collage experience) Saturday, Oct. 31. 2 p.m. $20. The Paper Seahorse, Tampa. paperseahorse.com

25 Years of FMoPA: Gallery Talk with Executive Curator Robin O’Dell Sunday, Nov. 1. 1 p.m. $12. Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, Ybor City. fmopa.org

Dalí: Disruption + Devotion Panel Discussion Thursday, Nov. 5. 6 p.m. No cover; registration required. The Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg. thedali.org

BOOKISH

Book Discussion: “Anna Karenina” by Leo Tolstoy Thursday, Oct. 29. 6:30 p.m. No cover. Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, Valrico

Book Discussion: “Vampires of El Norte” by Isabel Canas Thursday, Oct. 29. 4 p.m. No cover. Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library, Tampa

Books & Beyond Book Club: “Shelter in Place” by Nora Roberts Thursday, Oct. 29. 12 p.m. No cover. Tarpon Springs Public Library, Tarpon Springs. tarponlibrary.org

Chef Geoffrey Zakarian: Original Food – Recapturing the Joy of Eating Thursday, Oct. 29. 6:30–8:30 p.m. $6.71 & up. Oxford Exchange, Tampa

Murder Mystery at the Bookstore Thursday, Oct. 29. 6:30 p.m. $75. The Book Lounge, St. Petersburg. thebooklounge.com

Annie R. McEwen (Author meet and greet/reading) Saturday, Oct. 31. 2 p.m. No cover. Bookends Literature & Libations, Ybor City

Book Discussion: “Assistant to the Villain” by Hannah Nicole Maehrer Saturday, Oct. 31. 3 p.m. No cover with registration. New Tampa Regional Library, Tampa

Bookish Halloween Party Saturday, Oct. 31. 7:30 p.m. $10. The Book Lounge, St. Petersburg. thebooklounge.com

Willa Marigold (Author signing) Sunday, Nov. 1. 12 p.m. No cover. The Book Lounge, St. Petersburg. thebooklounge.com

Book Discussion: “The Seventh Veil of Salome” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Tuesday, Nov. 3. 10:30 a.m. No cover with registration. West Tampa Branch Library, Tampa

Fantasy Book Club: “Sinister” by Veronica Lancet Tuesday, Nov. 3. 6:30 p.m. $10 & up. The Book Lounge, St. Petersburg. thebooklounge.com

Michael Connelly (Author talk) Tuesday, Nov. 3. 6:30 p.m. Sold out. Oxford Exchange, Tampa

Author Happy Hour with Amira Bundy Tuesday, Nov. 3. 4 p.m. No cover to attend with RSVP. Book + Bottle, St. Petersburg. bookandbottlestpete.com

Author Series: James Chapin, “Ride South Until the Sawgrass” Wednesday, Nov. 4. 6 p.m. Free. Wild Space Gallery, St. Petersburg. floridawildlifecorridor.org

Beach Book Club: “Before I Forget” by Tory Henwood Hoen Wednesday, Nov. 4. 4 p.m. No cover with registration. Beach Library, Clearwater. myclearwaterlibrary.com

Book Discussion: “Killers of a Certain Age” by Deanna Raybourn Thursday, Nov. 5. 11 a.m. No cover with registration. Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library, Tampa

Book Discussion: “None of This is True” by Lisa Jewell Thursday, Nov. 5. 2 p.m. No cover. Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, Valrico

October Book Club: “Friday Black” by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah Thursday, Nov. 5. 6 p.m. $25 & up. Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. mfastpete.org

Off the Page: Robert K. Wittman, New York Times bestselling author of “Priceless” Thursday, Nov. 5. 6 p.m. No cover. Selby Library, Sarasota

COMEDY

Dustin Nickerson Thursday, Oct. 29. 7 p.m. $27. Funny Bone Comedy Club, Tampa

F*cked Up Spelling Bee Thursday, Oct. 29. 8 p.m. $10. Gimmick Comedy Club, Tampa

Don “DC” Curry Select times Friday-Saturday, Oct. 30-31. $27. Funny Bone Comedy Club, Ybor City

New on Netflix Improv Show Friday, Oct. 30. 7:30 p.m. $10. The Commodore, Ybor City

The Christi Show Sunday, Nov. 1. 6 p.m. $38 & up. Funny Bone Comedy Club & Restaurant, Ybor City

Daniel Sloss Sunday, Nov. 1. 7 p.m. $51.25 & up. Tampa Theatre, Tampa

Sheryl Underwood Wednesday, Nov. 4. 7 p.m. $37. Funny Bone Comedy Club, Ybor City

Herman Wrice Thursday, Nov. 5. 7 p.m. $27. Funny Bone Comedy Club, Ybor City

FILM & TV

The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Hell on Heels live shadow cast Friday, Oct. 30. 7 p.m. $15. Bilheimer Capitol Theater, Clearwater

The Only Living Pickpocket in New York Select times and dates Friday-Thursday, Oct. 30-Nov. 5. $10 & up. greenlightstpete.com

Acid Lakes and Bad Takes: Dante’s Peak with Dr. Mel Rodgers Sunday, Nov. 1. 1 p.m. $5. Corner Club, Seminole Heights. tasteofscience.org

The Fish Don’t Care When It Rains (Screening & Q&A) Tuesday, Nov. 3. 6:30 p.m. $14.64 (UT students free with ID). Charlene A. Gordon Theater at Ferman Center for the Arts, University of Tampa, Tampa

Tampa Animation Festival Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 5-8. No cover. Ferman Center for the Arts at Charlene A. Gordon Theater, Tampa. tampaanimationfestival.com

LEARN

History Hour with Keith Law Thursday, Oct. 29. 12 p.m. No cover. Clearwater Main Library, Clearwater. myclearwaterlibrary.com

Loyalty and Allegiance During the American Revolution Thursday, Oct. 29. 7 p.m. No cover. John F. Germany Public Library, Tampa

Art in Action: Painting Water & Sky with Paula Roy Friday, Oct. 30. 1 p.m. $10 suggested donation. DRV Gallery, Gulfport. drvgallery.com

Cemetery Walking Tour Saturday, Oct. 31. 10 a.m. $25. Oaklawn Cemetery, Tampa. tampabayhistorycenter.org

Florida Friendly Landscaping – Small Steps Forward Monday, Nov. 2. 11 a.m. No cover with registration. Riverview Public Library, Riverview

Greater Good Gathering: Low Cost and Free Healthcare for Actors, Artists, Gig Workers Monday, Nov. 2. 6:30 p.m. No cover. Powerstories Studio, Tampa. powerstories.com

MARKETS & RETAIL 

Wicked Little Market Friday, Oct. 30. 5 p.m. No cover. Wicked Hands Salon, New Port Richey. salonjoy.glossgenius.com

Tampa Craft Festival on Water Street Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 31-Nov. 1. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. No cover. Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park, Tampa. artfestival.com

Largo Sunday Farmer’s Market Sunday, Nov. 1. 10 a.m. No cover. Horizon West Bay, Largo. playlargo.com

LocalPalooza Sunday, Nov. 1. 10 a.m. No cover. USF St. Pete Campus, St. Petersburg. usf.edu

NEWS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS

In-Person Town Hall With David Jolly Friday, Oct. 30. 6 p.m. No cover with registration. Bethel Community Baptist Church, St. Petersburg. pinellas-dec.solidarity.tech

Hillsborough County Democratic Women’s Club Monthly Meeting Monday, Nov. 2. 6:30 p.m. No cover with registration. Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, Tampa. hillsboroughcountydemocraticwomensclub.com

Election Night Watch Party with Karen Perez Tuesday, Nov. 3. 6 p.m. No cover with registration. Stonewood Grill, Tampa. newtampademocrats.com

Central Pasco Democratic Club November Meeting Wednesday, Nov. 4. 5:30 p.m. No cover with registration. Meadow Pointe I, Wesley Chapel. pascodems.com

PRIDE

Sapphic St. Pete First week of November. Details TBA.

Halloweeb Party Saturday, Oct. 31. 8 p.m. $10. The 863 House, Lakeland (DM @triplembookinglive on Instagram for address)

Halloween Party & Drag Show with Alexis De La Mer, Natasha De La Mer, & Demi De La Mer Saturday, Oct. 31. 8 p.m. $10. Heights Lounge, Tampa. 

Sexxc Spooky-Ween Saturday, Oct. 31. 10 p.m. $10; $15 for men. Mad Chiller World, Tampa

SPORTS

Micro Wrestling 11 Wednesday, Oct. 28. 7 p.m. $26.06 & up. Ferg’s Pavilion, St. Petersburg

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Winnipeg Jets Thursday, Oct. 29. 7 p.m. $32.94 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa

Anchors & Irons Invitational Charity Golf Tournament Friday, Oct. 30. 12 p.m. $175 & up. Cove Cay Golf Club, Clearwater

The Final Flockdown: Tampa Roller Derby Championship Friday, Oct. 30. 6:30 p.m. $20. Skateworld Tampa, Tampa. tamparollerderby.net

South Florida Bulls Football vs UAB Blazers Saturday, Oct. 31. 12 p.m. $25 & up. Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Atlanta Falcons Sunday, Nov. 1. 1 p.m. $69.54 & up. Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

Orion180 Insurance Tip-off Classic Monday, Nov. 2. 6 p.m. $53.25 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa

South Florida Men’s Basketball vs. Charleston Southern Monday, Nov. 2. 7 p.m. $18.55 & up. Yuengling Center, Tampa

South Florida Women’s Basketball vs. Furman Monday, Nov. 2. 5 p.m. $13.79 & up. Yuengling Center, Tampa

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Detroit Red Wings Tuesday, Nov. 3. 7 p.m. $32 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Chicago Blackhawks Thursday, Nov. 5. 7 p.m. $60.18 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa


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Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief...

Josh Bradley is Creative Loafing Tampa Bay's calendar editor. He started as a freelance music writer in 2020 at the age of 18, and after spending years covering, announcing, and previewing concerts in...