A promotional group photograph showing three members of the Hawaiian reggae-rock band Pepper posing enthusiastically outdoors under a bright blue sky. On the left, vocalist and bassist Bret Bollinger wears dark sunglasses, a black baseball cap, and a short-sleeved button-down shirt patterned with skulls and flowers while making a triumphant fist. In the center, drummer Yesod Williams wears a yellow baseball cap, a long greying beard, and a matching patterned short-sleeved shirt with his arms raised. On the right, guitarist and vocalist Kaleo Wassman wears sunglasses, a black cap, and an unbuttoned matching floral skull shirt exposing his torso and abdominal tattoo while raising his hands with a wide open-mouthed expression.

Music

‘On High’ music festival, which is kind of like a halfway to Reggae Rise Up concert, comes to St. Pete on Friday

Pepper headlines at Jannus Live.

by Ray Roa August 27, 2026August 27, 2026

A high-angle outdoor group portrait by Zuri Moult showing four members of Fesssi K. standing together on an outdoor basketball court. Arranged from left to right, Vonne Parks stands on the far left wearing a dark corduroy cap embroidered with "Ocean Beauty" and a light blue striped button-down shirt; Micah Jno Baptise stands in the back left wearing a black t-shirt printed with "her new knife"; Noel Colon stands in the back right wearing glasses, a black baseball cap, and a white graphic t-shirt while resting his hand on a metallic pole; and Zoe Robinson stands in the center foreground wearing a light grey sweater vest adorned with patches and layered gold necklaces, featuring short blonde styled hair.

Music

Fesssi K. releases one of the Tampa Bay area’s best rock LPs of 2026 this weekend

Blame Jeff Buckley.

by Ray Roa August 27, 2026August 27, 2026

News & Views

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ends Tampa event when asked about kratom ties

The incident occurred while Kennedy and Senator Ashley Moody promoted the Harvest to Hallways initiative at a Tampa elementary school.

by Valerie Smith August 27, 2026August 27, 2026

Music

‘Rap house’ curator brings Caribbean artist Beanie to Ybor City on Friday

Dfaz’s rap house comes to The Bricks.

by Ray Roa August 27, 2026August 27, 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 wide exterior photograph showing storm surge crashing over the seawall along Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa, Florida, during Hurricane Helene on September 26, 2024. Captured at a wide angle along the wet, paved pedestrian walkway, a large wave sprays white foam over the concrete balustrade onto the sidewalk. In the background across dark, choppy waters, high-rise residential buildings and construction cranes stand under a grey, overcast storm sky.

News & Views

The City of Tampa hosts a hurricane prep event on Saturday

There’s no cover when emergency management and public safety officials help residents be ready for the next storm.

by Ray Roa August 26, 2026August 26, 2026

A photograph showing baker Anthony Dunlap standing behind an elaborate cupcake display table at the Great St. Pete Cupcake Contest inside the Morean Center for Clay in St. Petersburg, Florida, on August 24, 2024. Captured in a medium shot, the smiling baker wears a colorful patterned tunic, glasses, and a face mask around his chin while standing behind a teal tablecloth filled with dozens of decorated cupcakes arranged on multi-tiered wooden and orange cake stands, flanked by vibrant floral arrangements and set against an exposed red brick wall.

Food & Drink

The ‘Great St. Pete Cupcake Contest’ celebrates 15th anniversary this weekend

The cake off features 12-count cupcake boxes that sell out every year.

by Ray Roa August 26, 2026August 26, 2026

Quarterback Baker Mayfield (#6) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers holds the ball during a 2026 NFL joint training camp practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Arts & Entertainment

As the new Bucs season begins, let’s get caught up on all the offseason drama

Here are some storylines to potentially monitor throughout the rest of the preseason and into the regular season.

by Carter Brantley August 26, 2026September 9, 2026

High-angle aerial photograph showing Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, captured on October 2, 2015. The shot highlights the domed stadium's distinct tilted white roof structure surrounded by blue accent walkways and extensive parking lots, bordered by major roadways, surrounding commercial buildings, and green trees extending toward Tampa Bay in the background under a light blue sky.

Food & Drink

Taste of Pinellas to return in 2027, following 13-year hiatus

The festival was once a decades-long staple in downtown St. Petersburg and will happen at The Trop in February.

by Colin Wolf and CL Staff August 25, 2026August 25, 2026

Food & Drink

‘Flavors of Ybor’ at Sky Puppy Brewing among Tampa Bay’s best food & drink events happening August 27-September 3

This weekend’s four-course dinner includes flan, deviled crab chilau, storytelling, and wine, plus beer from award-winning brewer Matthew McKinnon.

by Ray Roa August 24, 2026August 24, 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

News & Views

In win for union, Tampa International Airport will not move forward with privatized TSA Gold+ program

The shift would have privatized jobs and eliminated the rights and benefits of federal TSA officers, who criticized the move.

by McKenna Schueler August 24, 2026August 24, 2026

A low-angle exterior photograph showing the signage for Haslam's Book Store in St. Petersburg, Florida, captured on July 8, 2016. Set against a bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds, the primary shot features orange weathered lettering on the building's facade reading "HASLAM'S NEW & USED BOOKS." To the left, a tall wooden pole holds a raised rectangular white sign reading "HASLAM'S BOOKS NEW & USED" with orange lettering.

Music

The St. Pete artist who wants to reopen Haslam’s Books is throwing a parking lot concert this weekend

Filipe Bergson hopes the ‘PR stunt’ can start a conversation with the family that owns the beloved bookstore.

by J.C. Roddy and Cigar City Sounds 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 cropped illustration of the Knight of Wands tarot card from the classic Rider-Waite-Smith deck. The image shows a knight in full steel armor wearing a bright yellow tunic patterned with black salamanders and a helmet adorned with a large, flaming red plume. Riding an orange-brown horse with a fiery mane, the knight holds a wooden wand sprouting small green leaves upright in his right hand against a pale blue sky.

News & Views

Oracle of Ybor: I’m a musician, and a perfectionist, so I have anxiety about experimenting with my ‘sound’

And what do I about the person I fell hard for in Paris?

by Caroline DeBruhl August 21, 2026August 21, 2026

Promotional photo for Chris Smith's Devo documentary showing the five members of the new wave band Devo posing in front of a tan brick wall. From left to right, the members stand side-by-side wearing matching light grey short-sleeved jumpsuits fitted with red tape shoulder stripes and waist belts, paired with their iconic stepped red plastic Energy Dome hats.

Music

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening August 21-27

Including Devo, Tampa Jazz Club, Small Talks Magazine release, and more.

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

A screenshot from singer-songwriter MaKenzie's YouTube video "Velvet (Live at EastWest Studios)." Captured in a medium close-up shot inside a dark recording studio, MaKenzie sings passionately with her eyes closed into a silver studio condenser microphone fitted with a black pop filter. She wears a black long-sleeved shirt over a patterned top, stacked layered necklaces, and short wavy auburn hair with bangs, softly lit by ambient studio lighting.

Music

Tampa’s ‘Welcome to KNXVLL’ party returns with set from R&B singer MaKenzie

She’s part of the day party going down Sunday.

by Ray Roa August 21, 2026August 21, 2026

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

Tampa Bay Journalism Project

‘On High’ music festival, which is kind of like a halfway to Reggae Rise Up concert, comes to St. Pete on Friday

Fesssi K. releases one of the Tampa Bay area’s best rock LPs of 2026 this weekend

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ends Tampa event when asked about kratom ties

‘Rap house’ curator brings Caribbean artist Beanie to Ybor City on Friday

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’

The City of Tampa hosts a hurricane prep event on Saturday

The ‘Great St. Pete Cupcake Contest’ celebrates 15th anniversary this weekend

As the new Bucs season begins, let’s get caught up on all the offseason drama

Taste of Pinellas to return in 2027, following 13-year hiatus

‘Flavors of Ybor’ at Sky Puppy Brewing among Tampa Bay’s best food & drink events happening August 27-September 3

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

In win for union, Tampa International Airport will not move forward with privatized TSA Gold+ program

The St. Pete artist who wants to reopen Haslam’s Books is throwing a parking lot concert this weekend

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

Oracle of Ybor: I’m a musician, and a perfectionist, so I have anxiety about experimenting with my ‘sound’

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening August 21-27

Tampa’s ‘Welcome to KNXVLL’ party returns with set from R&B singer MaKenzie