Dave Decker, Author at Creative Loafing Tampa

A protester in Downtown Tampa holds a sign featuring a stylized image of a man in a "Vote for Pedro" shirt, edited to say "Vote for Ped*o," during a "No Kings" rally on March 28, 2026. Tall city buildings and a crowd of demonstrators are visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

‘Vote For Pedo’: At least 2,000 ‘No Kings’ protestors come to downtown Tampa

Many signs centered on Donald Trump’s appearances in the Epstein files.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker March 30, 2026March 30, 2026

About 8 million people across the U.S. gathered in the streets last Saturday for the latest “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump. In the Tampa Bay area, 2,000 people showed up in Gulfport, while thousands also demonstrated outside Tampa City Hall. Even Polk County—where Trump won by 21 points in 2024—saw 2,000 people at […]

A high-energy live concert photograph of the band Poison The Well performing at Crowbar in Tampa on March 23, 2026. Vocalist Jeffrey Moreira, with a beard and wearing a black t-shirt, shouts into a microphone on the left. Beside them, a guitarist in a white t-shirt plays a light-colored electric guitar with an intense, open-mouthed expression. Several fans' arms are raised in the foreground, reaching toward the stage under blue and white stage lights.

Music

Photos: Poison The Well brings comeback tour to Crowbar in Ybor City

Tampa band Contention opened.

by Ray Roa, Kirsten Clauser and Dave Decker March 24, 2026March 24, 2026

Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, an unidentified woman in a red shirt, and current Tampa Mayor Jane Castor posing together at the River-O-Green festival. Buckhorn stands on the left holding an Irish flag, and all three are dressed in festive attire with the bright green dyed Hillsborough River in the background.

Arts & Entertainment

Photos: Tampa celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with River O’Green and downtown parade

Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn was on hand to witness the tradition he started in 2012.

by Dave Decker and Ray Roa March 16, 2026March 16, 2026

"A group of people marching during the People's Pride Coalition event in Ybor City. A person in the foreground carries a large blue, pink, and white Transgender Pride flag. The marchers are positioned in front of the historic, white-pillared Italian Club building under a clear, sunny sky.

‘Pride means fight back’: Tampa activists stage People’s Pride march through Ybor City [PHOTOS]

by Dave Decker and Ray Roa March 16, 2026March 16, 2026

A line of activists walking through a crosswalk outside MacDill Air Force Base, with one person speaking into a megaphone and others carrying signs that read 'ORDERS ARE NOT AN EXCUSE' and 'End U.S. Imperialism'."

Tampa activists protest Iran conflict outside MacDill Air Force Base

The group held signs reading ‘U.S. out of Iran’ and ‘MacDill = war criminals.’

by Dave Decker March 13, 2026March 13, 2026

A protester in Tampa stands on a street corner, holding a handmade sign that reads "STOP THE MISSILE ATTACKS NOW." She is wearing a white medical mask and a patterned keffiyeh-style scarf, with out-of-focus cars and street background.

Photos: Tampa protesters rally against Iran war and Cuban embargo

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker March 2, 2026March 2, 2026

Milo Aukerman of the punk band Descendents performing live on stage in a red knitted bunny ear hat, singing into a microphone with one hand raised against a dark background.

Photos: Descendents, Frank Turner and Nobro rock St. Pete

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker February 25, 2026February 25, 2026

A vibrant outdoor shot of three drag performers. In the center foreground, a drag queen wearing a voluminous green wig, an iridescent blue and purple metallic dress, and reflective alien-eye sunglasses stands with arms wide open, shouting or singing to the crowd. Behind them, two backup performers in similar metallic outfits with purple and yellow wigs are partially visible. To the left stands a tall black-and-white checkered racing flag, and in the background is a starting-line archway with a banner reading 'DRAG RACE'.

Arts & Entertainment

Photos: Everyone we saw cruising through Winter Pride’s drag race

From ‘Ru Paul’s Drag Race’ stars to smurf daddies.

by Dave Decker and Selene San Felice February 24, 2026February 24, 2026

A person in an inflatable pink axolotl costume and a woman in red scrubs standing by a road holding signs that say "Nurses say abolish ICE" and "ICE not welcome here"

Union nurses protest ICE in Largo [Photos]

They’re calling on Congress to stop health threats from federal immigration agencies.

by Dave Decker February 19, 2026February 19, 2026

Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi at Fred Ball Park in Tampa, Florida. The legendary American distance runner is pictured in a white hat and glasses during a Plant High School track team practice.

Arts & Entertainment

American running legend Meb Keflezighi helps Plant High School athletes redefine success

His winning attitude, and commitment to consistency, has clearly caught on.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker February 17, 2026February 18, 2026

Wharton High students walk out to protest ICE [Photos]

Florida schools are under pressure from state leaders to stop student protests.

by Dave Decker and Selene San Felice February 10, 2026February 10, 2026

A high-energy group portrait of approximately ten people celebrating at the Gasparilla Pirate Fest. Many are wearing pirate-themed attire, including red bandanas, gold jewelry, sunglasses, and colorful beaded necklaces. They are smiling and shouting toward the camera, with several individuals making "rock on" hand gestures while leaning against a metal crowd-control barricade. The outdoor background features palm trees and a residential building under an overcast sky.

Arts & Entertainment

Gasparilla 2026 photos: Every stone cold pirate we saw on Tampa’s Bayshore Boulevard over the weekend

Their timbers were shivered.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker February 2, 2026February 2, 2026

St. Pete faith leaders call for SPPD to pull out of ICE agreement [PHOTOS]

A vigil for Renee Nicole Good was held outside St. Petersburg Police headquarters.

by Selene San Felice and Dave Decker January 12, 2026January 12, 2026

A group of five adults stand on a small stage during an improv or live performance. One person in the foreground gestures with an outstretched arm while speaking, as others watch attentively. Stools and chairs sit behind them on a patterned rug, with dramatic stage lighting against a painted brick wall.

Arts & Entertainment

Photos: The Commodore kicks off 2026 season of Tampa-centric ‘Salud and Happy Days’ improv show

The series happens on the second Friday of every month.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker January 12, 2026January 12, 2026

Three people are seated together on a long bench with a colorful, sunset-patterned backrest. Behind them, the wall is covered with a dense collage of colorful concert and event posters.

Music

Photos: Everyone we saw at the St. Pete art show celebrating 40 years of No Clubs! Presents

The show is on display through February.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker January 12, 2026January 12, 2026

Photos: Tampa protests ICE killing Minneapolis woman

An ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good on Wednesday.

by Dave Decker and Selene San Felice January 9, 2026January 9, 2026

A person wearing a blue and red baseball cap with white stars and dark sunglasses looks intently forward while holding up a small Venezuelan flag. A large red flag is visible in the background.

With mixed feelings, Venezuelans and protesters take to Tampa streets after capture of Nicolás Maduro [PHOTOS]

The latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau puts 334,415 Venezuelan immigrants in Florida.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker January 4, 2026January 5, 2026

A close-up group shot captured with a wide-angle lens, creating a distorted, high-energy effect. The subjects are dressed in vibrant extraterrestrial costumes and makeup, standing in a dimly lit nightclub. A glowing neon "PHOTOS" sign and streaks of colorful light from a digital screen create a festive, party atmosphere in the background.

Arts & Entertainment

Photos: Every fabulous ‘Space Slut’ we saw ringing in the new year at St. Pete’s Cocktail gay bar

Blast off.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker January 2, 2026January 2, 2026

Music

Photos: Everyone we saw at Coppertail’s Crowbar legacy beer concert

Pour one out for Tampa Bay’s legendary small venue.

by Selene San Felice and Dave Decker December 26, 2025December 26, 2025

Photojournalist Dave Decker’s best shots of 2025

From protests and vigils to concerts and games, these were Tampa Bay’s top moments of the year.

by Selene San Felice and Dave Decker December 22, 2025December 22, 2025