Michael Murillo, Author at Creative Loafing Tampa

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa Bay’s best comedy shows happening October 2026, including Stormy Daniels, Kevin Farley, and Quinton Greene

Aziz Ansari, Atsuko Okatsuka, and Bassem Youssef are all coming to town, too.

by Michael Murillo October 1, 2026October 1, 2026

Stormy Daniels’ gigs in Palm Harbor and Winter Haven are just part of Tampa Bay’s October 2026 live comedy rundown.

A wide exterior architectural photograph showing The Princess Martha building in St. Petersburg, Florida c. 2017. Captured from street level across the road, the U-shaped, multi-story historic red brick building features classical archways, decorative stone detailing along the facade, and large ground-floor storefront windows beneath a street-level awning. A white police cruiser is parked along the curb on the right, with green leafy trees framing both sides of the building under a clear blue sky with light white clouds.

Arts & Entertainment

Sunshine Comedy Cafe plans to to open in downtown St. Pete

It’s from the owners of St. Pete Beach’s Sunshine City Comedy Club and Clearwater Comedy Club.

by Michael Murillo September 28, 2026September 28, 2026

A medium portrait photograph by Joe Seer showing comedian and actor Bill Bellamy at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Los Angeles, California on Jan. 11, 2023. Looking directly at the camera with a warm smile, Bellamy wears a black V-neck shirt underneath a red black-patterned open cardigan scarf or shawl. In the background, a white event step-and-repeat banner features green and blue lettering ("party").

Arts & Entertainment

Bill Bellamy, Fluffy, and ‘SNL’ vet Kevin Nealon among best comedy gigs coming to Tampa Bay this month

September is more than the beginning of football and hockey seasons.

by Michael Murillo September 4, 2026September 4, 2026

A press portrait photograph of stand-up comedian Nick Mullen leaning against a light-colored wall indoors. Captured in a medium three-quarter shot, Mullen stands centered while wearing a light grey bucket hat, clear wire-rimmed glasses, a dark zip-up hoodie over a dark t-shirt, and dark pants. He features dark shoulder-length hair and a full mustache, standing in a relaxed pose against a minimalist interior backdrop with soft overhead lighting.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa Bay’s best comedy shows coming in August: ‘Cum Town’ host Nick Mullen, Joke Wrld, and more

Sam Tallent, former ‘Chappelle’s Show’ writer Kurt Metzger, and others round it out.

by Michael Murillo July 31, 2026July 31, 2026

A photograph showing stand-up comedian Mark Normand performing on stage at Side Splitters Comedy Club in Tampa, Florida, in July 2026. Positioned center frame in a full-length shot, Normand gestures outward with both hands while speaking into a microphone. He wears a dark short-sleeve button-down shirt over a dark t-shirt paired with light grey trousers. Behind him, a blue-lit brick wall features a illuminated neon sign reading "SIDE SPLITTERS COMEDY CLUB," with a small stool holding a drink standing to his left and the dark silhouettes of an audience seated in the foreground.

Arts & Entertainment

Side Splitters comedy club hopes to open St. Pete location later this year

It’s the third location for the 34-year-old comedy scene staple.

by Michael Murillo July 31, 2026July 31, 2026

Jo Koy smiles and holds a mic while doing standup comedy for a crowd.

Arts & Entertainment

Jo Koy, Kym Whitley top Tampa Bay’s best stand up comedy gigs for July 2026

Plus, Rachel Feinstein, Mark Normand, Rio Paris, Marlon Wayans and more.

by Michael Murillo July 1, 2026July 1, 2026

Comedian OmgItsWicks holds a flip phone with a perplexed expression against a bright blue sky

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa Bay’s best stand up comedy gigs for June 2026

Including Omgitswicks, Godfrey and more.

by Michael Murillo June 4, 2026June 24, 2026

A collage of comedian headshots for Mark Gregory, Rahn Hortman, Johnny B and Jenn Weeks

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa Bay’s best comedy gigs this week, including Healing with Humor fundraiser, Kill Tony and more

Plus, big name shows like Kill Tony and Nene Leakes & Carlos King.

by Michael Murillo May 7, 2026May 13, 2026

Steve Arik and his partner hold up "rock" hand signs with KISS band members in front of a red velvet curtain

Arts & Entertainment

Steve Arik fundraiser tops list of Tampa Bay’s best comedy gigs April 23-May 6

Plus big names like Chris Tucker, Emma Willman, Jeff Foxworthy and more.

by Michael Murillo April 23, 2026April 23, 2026

Comedian Demetri Martin stands against a neutral background in the right side of the frame

Arts & Entertainment

Demetri Martin tops Tampa Bay’s best April comedy gigs

by Michael Murillo April 8, 2026April 8, 2026

"A high-contrast portrait of Eddie Geller against a dark blue textured wall. They have short dark hair and wear black-rimmed glasses and a light-colored polo shirt. They are captured in a candid, high-energy moment with their mouth wide open as if shouting or laughing loudly. A dark wooden chair is partially visible in the shadows to the left.

Arts & Entertainment

Here’s all the comedy clubs and venues in Tampa Bay

Funny business, really.

by Michael Murillo March 23, 2026March 23, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Show from Chris Rock’s brother, Tony, tops list of Tampa Bay’s best comedy gigs March 27-April 5

by Michael Murillo March 20, 2026March 20, 2026

Close-up portrait of comedian Cam Bertrand smiling against a solid turquoise background. The person wears a white baseball cap with a green brim and a black shirt.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa comedian Cam Bertrand opens for Matt Rife at Benchmark International Arena this weekend

And he’ll return for a smaller headline show in May.

by Michael Murillo March 11, 2026March 12, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Side Splitters hosts benefit for local comedian this weekend

Proceeds from Sunday’s show will go to local performer Clark Brooks.

by Michael Murillo December 19, 2025December 19, 2025

Close-up portrait of comedian Johnny B wearing black-rimmed glasses and a red Adidas hoodie, making a playful surprised face while tugging on his collar, set against a purple background.

Arts & Entertainment

Year after year, Tampa Bay comedian Johnny B keeps leveling up

He’s Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s best comedian of 2025.

by Michael Murillo September 24, 2025September 24, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Comedians have figured out how to sell-out giant venues, and Tampa’s Amalie Arena is on the forefront of the trend

Shane Gillis plays a sold-out show this weekend, with gigs from Nate Bargatze, and others coming down the pipeline.

by Michael Murillo February 28, 2025August 1, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa Bay’s unholiest comedy showcase celebrates second anniversary this weekend

by Michael Murillo November 14, 2024May 23, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Side Splitters’ comedy hurricane benefit shows kick off in Wesley Chapel this weekend

The shows are on Saturday and then move to Tampa on Wednesday.

by Michael Murillo October 26, 2024December 6, 2024

Arts & Entertainment

‘Beige gay’ comedian Jeff Klein will record his special at Ybor City’s Commodore theater

‘Fatty Gay’ goes on tape over two Sundays in September.

by Michael Murillo August 14, 2024July 1, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

‘White trash’ Clearwater comedian John J. Murray releases ‘Rhinoceros’ on Amazon Prime

He plays Mickey Quinn’s in Seminole on Aug. 17.

by Michael Murillo August 14, 2024May 16, 2025