Way Back Wednesday: Missy Elliot, Incubus
A weekly video spotlight on artists who came up pre-’00s
Sh*t happened 4/9/15: Stuff, but mainly Todd Gardenhire is a dipshit
I'll forego the usual sarcastic/fictional/absurdist intro to Sh*t Happens, and instead just call the man above a jackass. I call him worse later on. During a debate over a measure regarding a 48-hour waiting period for women seeking an abortion, Tennessee Republican Senator Todd Gardenhire defended his views by describing his vasectomy "a lot more…
Transforming Tampa Bay: Kerouac’s last home
Just as the cliche says that you can’t judge a book by its cover, you can’t tell an author’s interior life by his home. Jack Kerouac, the free-spirited novelist of On The Road and high priest of the Beat Generation, spent the last six years of his life in a very ordinary suburban house at…
Sharing their stories — Art Heals
Helping victims of sexual violence celebrate their survival through art.
Shuffleboard club revival reaches decade milestone
Founded by a group of determined volunteers, St. Pete Shuffle celebrates a decade of success.
Belleview Biltmore sold for realzies
Well, they finally did it. They killed the Belleview f*cking Biltmore. At least, that's what you're saying right now if you're one of the people who thinks that a) the decrepit former resort can be fully restored to its former glory, b) it can be done at a reasonable cost (say, under $200 million) and…
Democratic challenger may have a tough go against Jolly
Democrats have picked a seemingly electable, however unknown, challenger to run against Republican Congressman David Jolly, who represents Florida's 13th District, in 2016. Eric Lynn, a St. Petersburg native, announced his candidacy yesterday. Lynn, a former Pentagon advisor, said in a media release he's running to stop the gridlock in Congress. "I'm running for Congress…
SCENE BREAKER: Pookafacts, Durang +1 and everybody comes to Stageworks
There’s more to Harvey than you remember.
Restaurant review: Eat, be merry at Sweet Sage Cafe
Sweet Sage Cafe offers pleasant breakfast and lunch eats in North Redington Beach.
Five Courses: Hawkers’ street food flair & more
When Hawkers will debut as St. Pete’s next street-style eatery, plus more on openings and closings.
Listen: !!! [Chk Chk Chk], “All U Writers”
The track is featured on a forthcoming Record Store Day 12″
Creative Alliance’s stories with Monique Guggino, filmmaker and actor
The networking organization hosts events by successful local creatives. CL chats with one of them.
Congrats,Tampa Ballet Theatre — in residence at Ruth Eckerd Hall
For now, though, Tampa Ballet Theatre is focused on settling in to its new residency and preparing for the summer season.
Best moments from Mad Men season premiere
Roger’s new upper lip steals the show.
Sh*t happened 4/8/15: Uber, misbegotten philanthropy and that’s not a turtle, dumbass
Tuesday! It was full of people acting from the position of the wrong idea. Call me crazy, but when you educate people, you instill within them the desire and knowledge necessary to educate themselves further, and as a result you get fewer people hugging rabid raccoons while saying "nice kitty." The Public Transportation Commission in…
Nab a free doughnut from South Tampa’s Dough
Dough in South Tampa turned 2 years old, and it’s celebrating with free doughnuts Wednesday.
Tonight in live music: Mates of State, Have Mercy, American Aquarium & Michael Bolton
Concerts happening this Wed., April 8
Buckhorn endorses Murphy for Senate; progressives smell a rat
Earlier today, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn threw his support behind the U.S. Senate bid of Congressman Patrick Murphy, a Republican-turned-Democrat whose district covers Palm Beach County. “Ideologically, he is exactly where most Floridians are. We are not a state of the extremes,” Buckhorn said, according to Tampa Tribune reporter Chris O'Donnell. “We are people who…
Kriseman to ask council to stay the course on Pier process
Predictably, St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman's effort to get us a new Pier (or an old-but-gussied-up one) by 2018 is stuck in the mud for the time being. But Thursday, writes Tampa Bay Times reporter Waveney Ann Moore, Kriseman plans to go to the city council to remind them why it's important that the Pier…
New Music Tuesday! (April 7): Matt & Kim, Brian Wilson, Toro y Moi, The Mountain Goats & more
A curated breakdown of albums that came out this week; audio & video included
Meet restaurateur, chef John Besh at Pensacola Beach food fest
Pensacola Beach’s fall Taste of the Beach will feature cooking demos and more by chef John Besh.
Tampa Bay Comic Con captures Star Wars icon Carrie Fisher
The event takes over the Tampa Convention Center, July 31-Aug. 2.
Tonight in live music: Talib Kweli at Orpheum
The New York rapper lands in Ybor tonight (Tues., April 7)
Bye, bye beards: Breweries hold shave-off for Pediatric Cancer Foundation
Ever wanted to see a beard shave-off? It happens at Cigar City April 9 to benefit pediatric cancer.
Transit activist is first to file in what will probably be a crowded Hillsborough Commission race
As Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner prepares to vacate his seat due to term limits and run for County Clerk in 2016, the field of candidates vying to replace him is likely to be crowded. The first to announce his candidacy is Brian Willis, 31, a Democrat who works with the transit advocacy group Connect…
Spring pickin’s: Pesto pasta with a lemony kick
Don’t forget this tasty pasta dish with pesto during your next outdoor jaunt.
Sh*t happened 4/6/15: Bella’s fire, bees & Princess Leia
Slater slid down the wall to hunker on his ankles, and pulled the stinking thrift-store trenchcoat tighter around him. He tried to listen through the sounds of the rain pouring off old steel onto ancient brick, tried to hear if they were coming, but his senses were shot after a weekend of turnarounds and upheavals.…
Sh*t happened 4/7/15: Rays lose, Tampa pot bust, Duke (energy) sucks
"Say the line!" "First things first," he said into the mic, to no avail. "I'm here today to talk about feline leukemia, which each year kills thousands of beloved cats just like-" "Just do the line!" He looked out over the podium at the dozens of expectant faces. I'm tired, he thought. Tired and old…
Concert review: Tune-Yards at Beacham Theatre, Orlando
A brief look back at the show this past Fri., April 3; setlist included.
The Laugh Tract — Who’s Bringing the Funny
Bill Burr performs two shows at Ruth Eckerd Hall Saturday night. Locals take center stage in many comedy clubs this weekend, with varying styles and stage material. But there are also touring headliners if you want someone well-traveled. And if you want to see a big name on stage, one of the best will be…
Bill Nye vs. the naysayers on climate change
Does Governor Rick Scott refuse to deny climate change out of love for campaign donations from major polluters? Or does he actually believe that the planet is 6,000 years old? Whatever the answer, it sure as hell is frustrating that climate-change deniers choose to ignore the overwhelming scientific consensus that the earth’s average temperature is…
Listen: New track from Tame Impala, “‘Cause I’m a Man”
Release date on new album, Currents still forthcoming
Tonight in live music: The Bright Light Social Hour, The Baseball Project, Chuck Prophet & more
Concerts this Sat., April 4
Duke Energy to boost its solar use a skoche
Duke Energy, that wonderful champion of environmental and consumer causes, has announced plans to expand its solar operations some 500 kilowatts over the next decade, essentially doubling the state's current solar output. The energy giant has long drawn criticism from environmental advocates for brushing off renewable energy sources like solar by, among other things, making…
Do This: The Weekend Top 10
USF’s big MFA art show and party, a downtown pool party, Women’s Final Four fun, Easter eggs, a cat show and puppets!
Yelp bash highlights Bay area neighborhoods through food
Clearwater, South Tampa and more will be featured at Yelp Tampa Bay’s annual (and free) affair.
Beckner to run for Hillsborough Clerk
Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner has been a champion of progressive causes on the Board of County Commissioners since he was elected in 2008. He was the sole Democrat on the board at a time when Tea Party rhetoric seemed to dominate the conversations that occurred on the dais, especially when it came to things…
Weekend Tune-Up: Tunes for your weekend by Jamie xx, Lower Dens, Hot Chip & more
A playlist of 15 tunes to launch you into the weekend, Spotify playlist included.
Skull Asylum SFX Studio and Educational Center opens in Largo
The studio is a boon for aspiring make-up and special effects artists.
The Hip Hop ABCs: Winner of Letter F; vote on Letter G
The alphabetical rap battles continue…
Chicken Salad Chick coming to Tampa’s University area
The region’s first Chicken Salad Chick location to debut at Tampa’s University Collection in summer.
Sh*t happened 4/3/15: KKK corrections officers, Bitcoin bowl & more
Merle Haggard wrote, "someday we'll look back and say it was fun." Liam Gallagher sang, "Don't look back in anger." Neither of these perspectives applies to Thursday. USF is investigating the Cornerstone Christian Church for possible violations of university policy (as well as state or federal law) because of its relation to Arizona's Faith Christian…
Baseball bites: The Trop scores more dining options
Ybor City chicken, po’ boys and steamed buns included on Tropicana Field’s new food lineup.
Tonight in live music: Love Axe CD Release Show, Young Rapids, tUnE-yArDs & more
Concerts this Fri., April 3
Actors “protest” land buy aimed at Everglades restoration
We don't often venture far beyond the homestead in our bloggings, but sometimes an occurrence is so special we must bend the rules a bit. The cross-state incident requiring our attention occurred earlier today in West Palm Beach, where the South Florida Water Management District was meeting. The district is currently weighing a land deal…
An elegant addition to Tampa’s RiverWalk — String Theory’s Fin Harp at the Straz
The public will have an opportunity to pluck the massive instrument on select dates through May 2.
Concert review: Swans at State Theatre, St. Petersburg
The No Wave all-fathers’ Wed., April 1 performance crushed and uplifted.
Buckhorn asks NCAA to ditch Indiana in 2016
Fresh from a most glorious swearing in ceremony, Tampa's benevolent overlord has asked the NCAA's president to consider bringing its 2016 women's basketball tournament back to the Amalie Arena next year. Those of you who have recently driven around Channelside while lost downtown have probably noticed NCAA Women's Final Four banners hanging from the stadium,…
Monster truck visits children’s hospital, annihilates nothing but the blues
Yesterday, the Hall Brothers Racing Team brought Raminator — an eight-time Monster Nationals champion and Guinness Book of World Records holder for fastest monster truck — by the Shriners Hospital for Children in North Tampa to entertain the kids undergoing treatment for various burns, injuries and orthopedic conditions. The truck and team are currently on…
Watch: Kendrick Lamar’s “King Kunta” video
The Compton emcee drops a hometown-honored music video
Watch: Waxahatchee “Under A Rock” video
The group’s heavily buzzed Ivy Tripp comes out April 7.
Poet’s Notebook: Bus stop
There are badgers and bidgers and bodgers and a Super-in-tendent’s House There are masses of goats, and a Polar, and different kinds of mouse. Around 10 a.m. one morning on April 5, 2007 — during National Poetry Month — a huge yellow bus maneuvered the tight turns on Wildwood Lane and pulled onto the small…
False Confessions: Even with the advent of DNA, police interrogation tactics may lead to wrongful incarceration
Tom Sawyer sat in the front row of Courtroom 2 at the Pinellas County Justice Center on 49th Street. Flanked by close friends, including his former lawyer, he watched as a bailiff led Stephen Lamont — scraggly, cuffed and clad in navy blue inmate scrubs — to stand before the judge. Judge Michael Andrews read…
Space invader — Ya La’ford’s Quantum tour de force
The St. Petersburg installation artist knows how to work a room.
Theater Preview: Gidion’s Knot at USF
An acclaimed play on a difficult subject arrives at USF.
Tonight in live music: Taking Back Sunday, Jeff Zagers, Teenage Bottlerocket & more
Concerts happening this Thurs., April 2.
