Tampa Bay Rays fans with Pride rainbow branded Rays hats in the stands at Tropicana Field.

Tampa Bay’s best things to do this week, including Marcello Hernández, Major League Pickleball and more

Plus, Rays Pride Night, Melissa Koby’s debut solo show and Daniel Rivero on Wavemakers Live.

by CL Staff June 19, 2026June 19, 2026

There’s a ton of stuff to do in Tampa Bay this week, including Marcello Hernández’s nearly sold-out show, Melissa Koby’s debut solo show, Major League Pickleball’s St. Pete tournament and Wavemakers Live with Daniel Rivero.

A medium-shot portrait of Tampa artist Melissa Koby. Koby is looking directly at the camera with a confident, welcoming smile. They have long, dark hair styled in braids, and are wearing a high-collared black long-sleeved top. Koby’s accessories include a delicate gold chain necklace, a watch on their left wrist, and a layered beaded bracelet. The background is a solid, warm-toned deep-red studio backdrop that makes the subject pop, creating a professional and artistic aesthetic.

Arts & Entertainment, Events & Film, Tampa Bay Journalism Project

Tampa’s Melissa Koby, the first Black artist to do the official US Open artwork, stages debut solo show on Friday

Proceeds from the Juneteenth art show at Tampa Edition benefit the Black Art Gala Foundation.

by Annalise Mabe June 18, 2026June 18, 2026

Marcello Hernandez poses with a microphone stand onstage for his Netflix special "American Boy."

Arts & Entertainment

Marcello Hernandez’s two Tampa shows are nearly sold out this week

He doesn’t have ADD. He just like to jump.

by Selene San Felice and Liam Oliver June 17, 2026June 17, 2026

A medium-shot portrait of journalist Daniel Rivero. They are looking directly at the camera with a calm, composed expression. Rivero has a short, cropped haircut and a neatly trimmed beard. They are wearing a dark-navy button-down shirt. The background is a soft-focus construction site or industrial area, characterized by white, grid-like concrete blocks and steel scaffolding, creating a grounded, gritty aesthetic.

News & Views

In Tampa, ‘Just Freedom’ author will discuss Florida’s long history of denying voting rights

Daniel Rivero is the next guest on WMNF’s ‘Wavemakers Live’ series happening June 25.

by Ray Roa June 12, 2026June 12, 2026

Rowdies fans in Pride gear pose for a photo in the green and gold interior of Al Lang Stadium

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa Bay’s best things to do this week, including Broadway’s ‘Beetlejuice,’ Rowdies Pride Night and more

All the best events June 11-17 and beyond.

by CL Staff June 11, 2026June 18, 2026

Someone holds the Juneteenth flag, featuring a blue upper half, a red lower half, and a downward-curved arc with a centered, white five-pointed star surrounded by a starburst. the bottom of the flag includes the text "June 19, 1865."

Arts & Entertainment

How to celebrate Juneteenth in Tampa Bay

The creator of the national Juneteenth flag comes to Tampa tomorrow for the first of 20+ emancipation events

by Leif Helland and Liam Oliver June 11, 2026June 17, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

The ‘world’s largest’ Christmas light maze returns to Tropicana Field this winter

Enchant Christmas brings their holiday experience back to St. Pete after a two year absence.

by Liam Oliver June 10, 2026June 10, 2026

Two smiling women pose together holding green and blue Creative Loafing "Best of the Bay 2025" award signs in front of a blue backdrop at the Hard Rock Event Center

Arts & Entertainment

Last chance to nominate your local favorites for Creative Loafing’s 2026 Best of The Bay awards

To make sure we covered it all, CL has extended the nomination window for this year’s readers’ poll.

by Colin Wolf June 9, 2026June 9, 2026

A wide-shot, stage-performance photograph of the touring production of 'Beetlejuice.' From left to right, David Wilson as Adam and Kaitlin Feely as Barbara are seated on the left, looking toward the center. In the center, Leianna Weaver as Lydia stands wearing a black dress, and to their right, Ryan Stajmiger as Beetlejuice stands atop a dining table wearing their iconic striped suit, gesturing with both arms outstretched. The scene is illuminated in high-contrast blue and lime-green theatrical lighting, with atmospheric smoke filling the space of the stylized, dark-toned interior set.

Arts & Entertainment

Broadway’s ‘Beetlejuice’ musical returns to Tampa this month

The Eight-time Tony Award nominated musical makes its comeback featuring a unique take of the 1980’s cult classic film.

by Leif Helland June 4, 2026June 4, 2026

American diver Kaylea Arnett performing a tuck-position dive from a 21-meter platform cantilevered off the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. Below, a massive crowd watches from the pier and spectator boats in the harbor during the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series finale.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa Bay’s best things to do this week include Red Bull cliff diving, ‘Love Island’ watch parties and more

Plus, Amy Goodman’s “Democracy Now” screening and “Salud and Happy Days” improv featuring Dave Decker.

by CL Staff June 4, 2026June 4, 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 4, 2026

An architectural, low-angle shot of the iconic, bright blue sign of the Beach Theatre in St. Pete Beach, Florida. The vertical portion of the sign prominently displays the word 'THEATRE' in bold, white, capital letters. Beneath it, a horizontal marquee reads 'BEACH' in similar white, block lettering. The sign is set against a soft, pale, overcast sky, with the top of a palm tree visible in the upper-left corner and a dark, traditional-style street lamp visible on the left side of the frame.

Arts & Entertainment

Pulitzer-nominated play about the US Constitution comes to St. Pete Beach this summer

‘What The Constitution Means To Me’ opens just in time for America’s 250th birthday.

by Leif Helland June 4, 2026June 4, 2026

A medium-shot, action-oriented photograph of St. Petersburg Opera conductor Mark Sforzini leading an orchestra. They are wearing a formal white button-down shirt with a crisp navy blue vest and a matching bowtie. Their arms are raised, with their left hand holding a baton poised in the air and their right hand gesturing precisely to the ensemble. Their expression is one of intense focus and passion, looking slightly upward and to the right. The background is softly out of focus, revealing the rich, dark wood architecture of a performance venue and theatrical blue stage lighting.

Arts & Entertainment

To close 20th anniversary season, St. Pete Opera stages summer production of ‘La Boheme’

It runs at Palladium Theater from June 5-12.

by Marty Clear June 4, 2026June 5, 2026

Charlie Georgio poses shirtless on the set of Love Island USA season 7

Arts & Entertainment

‘Love Island’ star Charlie Georgio will watch the show live with fans in Tampa tomorrow

His brother, Zach, is looking for love in the villa in Season 8.

By Liam OliverJune 3, 2026June 3, 2026

A medium-shot portrait of artist Jesi Cason posing in front of a gallery wall covered with a grid of vibrant, colorful, and moodily lit photographic prints at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts in Ybor City. Cason is looking directly at the camera with a soft, contemplative expression, resting their chin on their hand. They have bright, two-toned orange and blonde hair, and are wearing a simple black tank top. Their arms are heavily covered in intricate, dark-ink tattoos. The background is a dense collage of small, square-formatted portraits, each bathed in saturated, neon-like stage colors—including deep blues, bright greens, and intense reds—that contrast sharply with Cason’s own monochrome attire.

Arts & Entertainment

Photographer Jesi Cason showcases ‘Alt Tampa’ at exhibition closing on June 14

Saint Petersburg Month of Photography’s Photo Laureate speaks to art lovers during a gallery talk on May 31.

by Ray Roa May 30, 2026May 30, 2026

A wide-angle, fish-eye live concert photograph of guitarist and vocalist Dave Decker performing with the band Big Sad at Microgroove in Tampa. Decker is centered, playing an orange-brown Gibson SG electric guitar while singing into a microphone. They are wearing a black t-shirt featuring a graphic of a large cat's face with the word 'IDLES' printed above it. The band is set up in a small, industrial-style room with exposed ceiling joists and red-painted wall accents in the background. Other band members are visible on the periphery, and a small, vintage-style amplifier sits on the floor to the right.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa photographer, musician, Dave Decker is guest at next installment of ‘Salud and Happy Days’ improv show

Expect big laughs when the Big Sad frontman teams up with Commodore comedians.

by Ray Roa May 29, 2026June 1, 2026

A display of colorful Nike sneakers for sale marked with sizes and prices ranging $70-$290

News & Views

Tampa Bay’s best things to do this week, including Pride kickoff, vibrator races and more

Plus, Sneaker Kulture at Armature Works, Preacher Lawson, Drag Bingo and more!

by CL Staff May 29, 2026May 29, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Allendale UMC hosts an LGBTQ+ suicide prevention seminar next week

The St. Pete talk happens on the first day of LGBTQ+ Pride month

by Selene San Felice May 29, 2026June 2, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Bobuq Sayed brings queer diaspora debut novel to St. Pete this weekend

Sayed will discuss ‘No God But Us’ with Kristen Arnett and Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya at Tombolo Books.

by Selene San Felice May 29, 2026May 29, 2026

Miss Vanjie poses in leather against a red background

Arts & Entertainment

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ star Miss Vanjie kicks off LGBTQ+ Pride month in St. Pete this weekend

Your guide to all the best Pride events in Tampa Bay.

by Selene San Felice May 29, 2026June 11, 2026

Meet The Chefs - Now in St. Pete & Tampa - Save & Get Your Tickets Now!

Events & Film

Tampa Bay’s best things to do this week, including Marcello Hernández, Major League Pickleball and more

Tampa’s Melissa Koby, the first Black artist to do the official US Open artwork, stages debut solo show on Friday

Marcello Hernandez’s two Tampa shows are nearly sold out this week

In Tampa, ‘Just Freedom’ author will discuss Florida’s long history of denying voting rights

Tampa Bay’s best things to do this week, including Broadway’s ‘Beetlejuice,’ Rowdies Pride Night and more

How to celebrate Juneteenth in Tampa Bay

The ‘world’s largest’ Christmas light maze returns to Tropicana Field this winter

Last chance to nominate your local favorites for Creative Loafing’s 2026 Best of The Bay awards

Broadway’s ‘Beetlejuice’ musical returns to Tampa this month

Tampa Bay’s best things to do this week include Red Bull cliff diving, ‘Love Island’ watch parties and more

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

Pulitzer-nominated play about the US Constitution comes to St. Pete Beach this summer

To close 20th anniversary season, St. Pete Opera stages summer production of ‘La Boheme’

‘Love Island’ star Charlie Georgio will watch the show live with fans in Tampa tomorrow

Photographer Jesi Cason showcases ‘Alt Tampa’ at exhibition closing on June 14

Tampa photographer, musician, Dave Decker is guest at next installment of ‘Salud and Happy Days’ improv show

Tampa Bay’s best things to do this week, including Pride kickoff, vibrator races and more

Allendale UMC hosts an LGBTQ+ suicide prevention seminar next week

Bobuq Sayed brings queer diaspora debut novel to St. Pete this weekend

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ star Miss Vanjie kicks off LGBTQ+ Pride month in St. Pete this weekend

Photographer Jesi Cason showcases ‘Alt Tampa’ at exhibition closing on June 14

Tampa art scene staples open new ‘General Admission’ gallery on Thursday

Photos: Dyke Night St. Pete’s goth party sells out at Crowbar

Photos: Everyone we saw when ‘Premier League Mornings Live’ took over Tampa last weekend