An abstract color fine art photograph titled "Wired" by photographer Geoffrey Baris (rear printed to plexiglass) depicting water reflections. Captured in a vertical framing set within a dark grey mat border, the image presents distorted, wavy reflections of sailboat masts, rigging lines, and yellow and dark nautical flags shimmering across gentle water ripples against a bright, pale sky-colored background. The artist's signature, "Geoffrey Baris," appears in white script in the lower right corner.

Creative Pinellas taps 50 artists to get loud at ‘Amped’ fundraiser this weekend

The exhibition featuring about 75 pieces is up through Nov. 1.

by Ray Roa September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

A close-up horror photograph of a weathered, blood-stained porcelain doll displayed as a Halloween prop or haunted house decoration. The doll features pale, cracked white skin, milky white blank eyes, a stitched wound across its forehead, dark red fake blood smeared around its mouth and torso, thin wisps of dark hair, and a worn grey shirt, set against a rustic metal and wood background.

Arts & Entertainment

Ybor City’s extra freaky Tabernacle Of Oddities returns this weekend

It takes over the Cuban Club for two days.

by Ray Roa September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

A low-light, candid photograph taken inside a haunted attraction showing two women reacting in fear near a monstrous prop at Scream-A-Geddon Horror Park. In the left foreground, a woman wearing a black t-shirt and crossbody bag reacts with wide eyes, an open mouth, and raised hands, while a companion peeks over her shoulder from behind. On the right, a massive animatronic or prop monster mouth with sharp, blood-stained yellow fangs reaches toward them out of the dark, shadowy backdrop.

Arts & Entertainment

Fresh off $2.5 million renovation, Scream-A-Geddon returns to Dade City this weekend

The horror park will operate through Nov. 1.

by Ray Roa September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

A black-and-white close-up portrait photograph of Richard J. Girard II. Looking slightly to his left with a gentle smile, Girard wears dark horn-rimmed eyeglasses, a dark fedora-style woven hat, a full beard and mustache, and shoulder-length wavy hair. In the background, a brick wall covered with faint graffiti and lettering is visible behind his right shoulder.

Arts & Entertainment

‘Molotov Cocktails, Pipe Bombs & Other Family Recipes’ book release among top events in Tampa Bay [September 3-10]

Plus another Tampa Comic Convention, Pride events and more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley September 1, 2026September 2, 2026

A waterfront with industrial buildings and smokestacks in the background, taken from across the water. Several boats are docked along the shore under a cloudy sky.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa Bay History Center’s conversation about transit is already sold-out

There’s a virtual option for ‘Florida Conversations’ happening on Wednesday.

by Ray Roa August 27, 2026

A color Kodachrome portrait photograph taken by Carl Van Vechten showing author Zora Neale Hurston on July 18, 1946. Captured in a close-up portrait against a rich red backdrop, Hurston smiles warmly toward the right of the frame, casting a strong shadow behind her. She wears an off-white cream garment adorned with beaded trim at the collar and shoulders, multi-strand beaded necklaces, and a light-colored bonnet tied beneath her chin with an embellished, jewel-toned netted overlay across her dark hair.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa’s Black History Museum hosts Zora Neale Hurston book talk on Monday

‘Their Eyes Were Watching God’ is on the agenda.

by Ray Roa August 27, 2026September 1, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Saturday comedy gig in Ybor Heights promises to ‘raise hell, and never punch down’

Tampa’s Deviant Comics want build ‘a safe space to tell dark jokes.’

by Ray Roa August 27, 2026August 27, 2026

A photograph by Scott Krier showing author Arielle Hebert seated at a wooden desk in a medium shot. Hebert sits slightly angled toward the right with a light smile, wearing a black long-sleeved scoop-neck top, a delicate silver key necklace, and grey trousers, displaying a floral tattoo on her right upper chest. She has shoulder-length dark brown hair with side-swept bangs. Behind her, a dark bookshelf sits beside vibrant indoor house plants, including large monstera and fiddle-leaf fig leaves.

Arts & Entertainment

Read ‘Lightning Capital of the World’ from Arielle Hebert’s new book of poetry, ‘Bottom Feeders’

Herbert is in discussion with poet Tyler Gillespie on Sept. 3 in St. Petersburg.

by Arielle Stevenson August 24, 2026August 24, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Before St. Pete appearance, poet Arielle Hebert talks queer girlhood, addiction and growing up inside Florida’s fantasy

She’ll discuss ‘Bottom Feeders’ at Tombolo Books on Thursday, Sept. 3.

by Arielle Stevenson August 24, 2026August 24, 2026

A photograph by Yvonne Gougelet showing three models presenting vibrant runway creations from the Bay to Bay Wearable Art Collective at the Dunedin Fine Art Center in Dunedin, Florida, on August 22, 2026. Captured in a wide shot from the end of the elevated runway, the three models pose under glowing yellow spotlights in front of a dark audience. The model on the left wears a dark iridescent metallic gown with a shimmering waist peplum; the model in the center wears a brightly multi-colored, flowing tie-dye ensemble with dramatic butterfly-wing sleeves; and the model on the right wears an off-white cream gown with an asymmetrical flared hem and extended sleeve fabric. All three models wear matching, large circular illuminated halos around their heads.

Arts & Entertainment

Photos: Every platinum look we saw at Dunedin Fine Art Center’s sold-out ‘Wearable Art’ 20th anniversary

The show featured mainstay designers as well as newcomers.

by Ray Roa and Yvonne Gougelet August 24, 2026August 24, 2026

A wide exterior photograph showing the historic Tampa Theatre building on a brick-paved street in downtown Tampa, Florida, on August 20, 2026. Captured from across the street at a low angle, the mid-rise building features a tall vertical neon sign spelling "TAMPA" mounted along its side and an illuminated marquee marquee above the entrance overhang displaying featured movie titles. Green trees flank the street on both sides, with brick pavers curving through the foreground under an overcast sky.

Arts & Entertainment

As it wraps centennial renovations, Tampa Theatre shares details on its fall reopening

Downtown’s iconic movie house has been under renovation since March and hosts a week of parties this October.

by Leif Helland August 20, 2026August 22, 2026

A photograph showing the interior of an aquaponics greenhouse at the Rosebud Continuum Education Center in Land O' Lakes, Florida. Set beneath an arched clear poly-film dome with white shade cloth accents, the ground is covered in black landscape fabric with a central pathway. Along the left and right sides, vertical growing racks, PVC piping, IBC tote tanks, and raised hydroponic plant beds are cultivated with green crops, illuminated by natural sunlight filtering through the frame.

Arts & Entertainment

Land O’ Lakes’ Rosebud Continuum hosts seed, plant, and book swap this weekend

Get out of town on Saturday.

by Ray Roa August 19, 2026August 19, 2026

A wide interior photograph showing young children and families playing inside the main exhibit hall at Great Explorations Children's Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. In the center, a multi-story climbing structure wrapped in netting features stacked blue platforms extending toward a high ceiling with exposed metal trusses and track lighting. In the foreground, large blue foam building blocks scattered across a carpeted floor allow children to build structures, alongside a yellow slide and interactive play stations illuminated by bright overhead lights.

Arts & Entertainment

St. Pete’s Great Explorations kid’s museum hosts free science festival on Saturday

At Ignite!, little ones can try their hands at robotics, art, demos and engineering challenges.

by Ray Roa August 19, 2026August 19, 2026

A wide interior photograph showing a preview of "The Art of Banksy" exhibition staged inside Morsani Hall at the David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, Florida, on July 30, 2026. Set under low ambient gallery lighting, the stage of the dark, multi-tiered auditorium is transformed into a walk-through art gallery. In the foreground, glass display cases hold authenticated Banksy artifacts, flanked by illuminated wall-mounted artworks including a glowing central piece, framed prints, and informative black text panels along the gallery walls, while a visitor stands observing the installation.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa’s Banksy art show is a conversation-starting tango of tension

It’s literally onstage at the Straz Center through Sept. 27.

by SK West August 19, 2026August 19, 2026

A close-up studio portrait of Tampa photographer Jesi Cason. Set against a vibrant solid green background with bold gel lighting in shades of pink, purple, and red, Cason looks slightly off-camera to the right with an expressive, open-mouthed look of surprise or curiosity. Cason features dark shaggy hair with bangs, light eyes, a septum nose ring, and a labret piercing below the lower lip.

Arts & Entertainment

FloridaRama ‘LitFest’ book festival among best things to do in Tampa Bay [August 20-26]

Plus, Mega Water Lantern Food & Music Festival, Wearable Art 20: Platinum in Dunedin and more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley August 18, 2026August 21, 2026

A cropped close-up photograph by Dave Decker showing a detail of model Nova Cane in a Vanessa Froehling design at the Wearable Art 19 fashion show at the Dunedin Fine Art Center in Dunedin, Florida, on August 23, 2025. Set against a dark background, the cropped shot focuses tightly on the upper headpiece, showing the model's dark curly hair paired with an intricate, bright orange perforated mesh structure embellished with metal hardware and bolts.

Arts & Entertainment

‘Wearable Art’ celebrates 20 years of transcending fashion in Dunedin

The Bay area tradition returns this weekend.

by David Warner August 17, 2026August 17, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Dunedin Fine Arts Center celebrates wearable ART 20: Platinum

by CL Staff August 14, 2026August 14, 2026

A theatrical performance photo by Dave Decker showing actor Jessica Jacobs performing in "The Last Unicorn" at The Fringe Theatre inside Kress Contemporary in Ybor City, Florida, on August 12, 2026. Captured in a medium close-up shot, Jacobs stands center stage under purple and warm stage lighting wearing a white off-the-shoulder peasant blouse, long light-colored hair, and a singular white unicorn horn attached to her forehead. She holds one hand near her chest while tilting her head back with closed eyes against a background illuminated by a shadow puppet projection of a floral field.

Arts & Entertainment

A new production of ‘The Last Unicorn’ is now open at Ybor City’s Fringe Theatre [PHOTOS]

Adapted from a 1968 novel, the work runs two weekends in August.

by Leif Helland and Dave Decker August 13, 2026August 13, 2026

A photograph by Michael Nielsen showing the vibrant blue exterior storefront of Sponge Diver Supply in Tarpon Springs, Florida, on May 7, 2026. Captured in a eye-level shot under direct sunlight, the bright blue building features a wooden sign above the entrance reading "SPONGE DIVER SUPPLY 69." To the right of the open doorway and window, natural sea sponges are arranged on the stucco wall to form a giant smiley face motif above a bicycle covered in sea sponges parked against the wall under a wooden overhang.`

Arts & Entertainment

Coastal Film Lab of Tampa and Central Florida Photo Club will lead a photowalk through Tarpon Springs

The Aug. 30 stroll goes one mile from Craig Park to the sponge docks, then over to Replay Amusement Museum.

by Leif Helland August 12, 2026August 12, 2026

A promotional character portrait by James Zambon featuring actor Colleen Cherry as Penelope for Jobsite Theater's upcoming production of "Penelope." Captured in a medium close-up shot leaning over a wooden bar top inside a dimly lit venue, Cherry wears a dark teal sleeveless dress, a layered gold chain necklace, and braided hair pinned around her head. Looking directly into the camera lens with a skeptical facial expression, she holds a rocks glass filled with amber liquor in her right hand while gesturing outwards with her open left hand. In the background, framed photos, posters, and warm orange accent lighting create an intimate barroom atmosphere, although the photo is shot inside The Hub dive bar in downtown Tampa.

Arts & Entertainment

‘The Odyssey’ is cool, but this Tampa actress is doing a one-woman musical from Penelope’s perspective

Jobsite Theater has tapped Colleen Cherry for the folk-pop, one-woman show running through Sept. 6.

by Ray Roa August 12, 2026August 12, 2026

Best of the bay 2026 is here. Check out the Winners And FinalistS!

Events & Film

Creative Pinellas taps 50 artists to get loud at ‘Amped’ fundraiser this weekend

Ybor City’s extra freaky Tabernacle Of Oddities returns this weekend

Fresh off $2.5 million renovation, Scream-A-Geddon returns to Dade City this weekend

‘Molotov Cocktails, Pipe Bombs & Other Family Recipes’ book release among top events in Tampa Bay [September 3-10]

Tampa Bay History Center’s conversation about transit is already sold-out

Tampa’s Black History Museum hosts Zora Neale Hurston book talk on Monday

Saturday comedy gig in Ybor Heights promises to ‘raise hell, and never punch down’

Read ‘Lightning Capital of the World’ from Arielle Hebert’s new book of poetry, ‘Bottom Feeders’

Before St. Pete appearance, poet Arielle Hebert talks queer girlhood, addiction and growing up inside Florida’s fantasy

Photos: Every platinum look we saw at Dunedin Fine Art Center’s sold-out ‘Wearable Art’ 20th anniversary

As it wraps centennial renovations, Tampa Theatre shares details on its fall reopening

Land O’ Lakes’ Rosebud Continuum hosts seed, plant, and book swap this weekend

St. Pete’s Great Explorations kid’s museum hosts free science festival on Saturday

Tampa’s Banksy art show is a conversation-starting tango of tension

FloridaRama ‘LitFest’ book festival among best things to do in Tampa Bay [August 20-26]

‘Wearable Art’ celebrates 20 years of transcending fashion in Dunedin

Dunedin Fine Arts Center celebrates wearable ART 20: Platinum

A new production of ‘The Last Unicorn’ is now open at Ybor City’s Fringe Theatre [PHOTOS]

Coastal Film Lab of Tampa and Central Florida Photo Club will lead a photowalk through Tarpon Springs

‘The Odyssey’ is cool, but this Tampa actress is doing a one-woman musical from Penelope’s perspective

Photos: Tampa Theatre brings time travel to Franklin Street in grand finale for centennial restoration

[Photos] Everyone who stepped into Creative Loafing’s Best of the Bay 2026 photo booth

[Photos] Everyone we saw at Creative Loafing’s 2026 Best of The Bay party

New photography exhibit frames University of Tampa in stunning new light

Do you have the best burger in Tampa Bay?