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

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 24, 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

A dramatic, theatrical stage photograph of actors Alysha Deslorieux and Ken Wulf Clark performing as Middle Allie and Middle Noah in The Notebook. They are illuminated by bright overhead stage spotlights against a pitch-black background while heavy, simulated rain falls all around them. In the center, Clark, wearing a wet white tank top and blue jeans, is standing and lifting Deslorieux into the air. Deslorieux, wearing a wet, knee-length blue dress, is looking down into Clark's eyes with their hands resting gently near Clark's face. The image captures an intense, romantic embrace in the middle of a downpour.

Arts & Entertainment

‘The Notebook’ musical, with songs by Ingrid Michaelson, opens this week in Tampa

It runs through May 31 at Straz Center.

by Ray Roa May 26, 2026May 26, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa Roller Derby hosts a free expo next week

Newbies can learn what it takes to roll with the homies.

by Selene San Felice May 21, 2026May 21, 2026

Silver bullet vibrator against a peach colored background

Arts & Entertainment

New World Tampa hosts vibrator races to support domestic violence victims next week

The Todd Couples Store is sponsoring prizes and giveaways at this certified sporting event.

by Selene San Felice May 21, 2026May 26, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

In his new novel, ‘Fish Kill,’ Dennis Mitch Maley frolics in the world of Florida

The Bradenton Times editor will sign copies at the Jack Kerouac House’s Underground Book Fair next weekend.

by David Warner May 20, 2026May 21, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Hibiscus show promises big blooms in St. Pete this weekend

Blooming season is most of the year in Tampa Bay and southern Florida.

by Selene San Felice May 19, 2026May 19, 2026

A photo of a blonde woman posing next to a pole with "Impulse Pole Dance" written on the wall behind her; collaged next to an outdoor display of books including "Whipping Girl" from Pages and Perks

Arts & Entertainment

St. Pete pole dancers collab with local bookseller for ‘Booty, Books + Bubbles Party’

Pages & Perks will be at Impulse Studios for this very sexy Saturday.

by Selene San Felice May 19, 2026May 19, 2026

Black and white photo of a table tipping seance circa 1898

Arts & Entertainment

Paranormal investigators will teach table tipping in St. Pete this weekend

How the tables will turn at VFW 39.

by Selene San Felice May 19, 2026May 19, 2026

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

Events & Film

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

‘The Notebook’ musical, with songs by Ingrid Michaelson, opens this week in Tampa

Tampa Roller Derby hosts a free expo next week

New World Tampa hosts vibrator races to support domestic violence victims next week

In his new novel, ‘Fish Kill,’ Dennis Mitch Maley frolics in the world of Florida

Hibiscus show promises big blooms in St. Pete this weekend

St. Pete pole dancers collab with local bookseller for ‘Booty, Books + Bubbles Party’

Paranormal investigators will teach table tipping in St. Pete this weekend

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?