Dave Decker, Author at Creative Loafing Tampa - Page 3 of 8

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

Photos: WWE star Titus O’Neil gives 5,000 presents to Tampa families

It was the 17th annual ‘Joy of Giving.’

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

Music

Everyone we saw when Discord Theory played Crowbar last weekend [Photos]

by Dave Decker December 19, 2025December 19, 2025

A Dunkin' disposable coffee cup sitting on a railing or ledge, with a blurred sign (mostly red and white) in the foreground to the left. The cup has a seasonal design, featuring a snowflake pattern and what looks like a tiny leaf or berry drawing.

‘No contract, no coffee’: Downtown Clearwater Starbucks closed as unionized workers join nationwide strike [PHOTOS]

Unlike past one-day strikes, this one is open-ended with a to-be-determined end date for the work stoppage.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker December 15, 2025December 15, 2025

A group of protestors stands and sits in front of a chain-link fence topped with barbed wire, holding a large yellow banner that reads "ABOLISH ICE." Many wear black shirts and hold signs with photos of people.

Photos: Here’s the ICE protest that got 31 people arrested outside Miami’s Krome detention center

Sunrise Movement activists said they were ‘arrested for fighting for immigrants and families that deserve to be safe.’

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker November 25, 2025November 25, 2025

Wide-angle view of a densely packed, high-energy punk or hardcore concert, with audience members standing on the stage and leaning into the crowd, creating a mosh pit atmosphere.

Music

Photos: Everyone we saw for the Kids Like Us reunion concert at Skatepark of Tampa

Find us chillin’.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker November 17, 2025November 17, 2025

Photos: Activists rally as Israeli court postpones hearing for imprisoned Tampa teenager Mohammed Ibrahim

Ibrahim, a U.S. citizen whose family splits time between Tampa and a home in the West Bank, is charged with stone throwing under special post-Oct. 7 security laws.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker November 10, 2025November 10, 2025

A silver car rests heavily damaged after crashing into the storefront of a business named 'Bradley's' in Ybor City. Police and State Troopers are gathered at the scene, with a patrol car visible in the foreground.

High speed chase ends with four dead after vehicle crashes into Ybor City bar [PHOTOS]

Officials said 11 more were injured early Saturday morning.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker November 8, 2025November 8, 2025

Naya Young (center) smiles and laughs with supporters at a victory party, holding a napkin. She and the woman to her right are wearing white T-shirts that read "NAYA YOUNG" in orange and blue text.

Photos: Tampa’s new city councilwoman, Naya Young, celebrates landslide victory in Ybor City

Young won all but three precincts in the district and earned just under 61% of the vote.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker October 29, 2025October 29, 2025

A close-up shot of a satirical protest sign being held up in a crowd. The sign superimposes a yellow crown reading "PEDO KING!" onto a photo of Donald Trump and includes a red arrow pointing to a heart labeled "Epstein." The crowd of diverse protesters is visible in the blurred background.

‘Pedo King’: In downtown Tampa, more than a thousand ‘No Kings’ protestors line the streets [PHOTOS]

Events were planned in more than 100 Florida cities and towns, including Miami, St. Petersburg, and Gainesville.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker October 20, 2025October 20, 2025

The lead singer of a band with long blonde hair and heavy arm tattoos leans over the stage, screaming into a microphone toward the audience. The crowd is pushing against the stage barrier, raising their hands and cheering. The stage is bathed in harsh red stage lighting.

Music

Photos: Underoath wraps US tour with intimate, hometown rager at Crowbar

Social Wreckage and Thin Spaces opened the sweaty family affair.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker October 7, 2025October 7, 2025