Photos: Everyone we saw when Static Fest sold out The Moon Tower at Dunedin Brewery
St. Louis punk bands Wes Hoffman & Friends, and Vallencourt, came to Pinellas County last Saturday, and got a bunch of help from homegrown punk bands on the way to selling out Static Fest inside Dunedin Brewery’s neighboring Moon Tower venue.
Young & Sick among bands coming to Ybor City for last-ever ‘Hot Dog Party’
Ybor City venue Crowbar is reserving two whole nights for its last “Hot Dog Party” ever. The Tampa concert hall is set to close before August after two decades in the district and has announced seven bands in the lineup for Hot Dog Party 20, dubbed “The Final Footlong.” Leading the charge on day one…
![Q&A: At Hard Rock Tampa, Steven Van Zandt explains why he couldn’t make ‘Sun City’ today [PHOTOS]](https://i0.wp.com/www.cltampa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/stevievanzandtmalvadomaplemezcal-63.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1)
Q&A: At Hard Rock Tampa, Steven Van Zandt explains why he couldn’t make ‘Sun City’ today [PHOTOS]
During some quick opening remarks at the party, Van Zandt, rocking his standard eclectic, piratey regalia and bandana, revealed that the spirit’s maple infusions were courtesy of some maple trees owned by his friend in Vermont. “There’s lots of flavored liquors out there […] but there’s no flavored mezcal,” he stated. “It’s a little bit…
Fire officials say USF St. Pete’s marine science lab is likely a ‘total loss’ after weekend fire
It’s been two days since emergency responders were dispatched to put out a two-alarm fire at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg on Saturday, May 2. And according to both fire rescue and university officials, the building is likely unsalvageable. St. Petersburg Fire Department officials told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that approximately 69 units…
DeSantis signs bill making new gerrymandered congressional map official
Gov. Ron DeSantis quietly signed legislation (HB 1D ) into law Monday making his newly designed congressional redistricting map official in Florida. “Signed, sealed, delivered,” was the succinct message he posted on X with a map of the 28 newly drawn districts, which Democrats and voting rights groups allege is illegal because it violates the provision of Florida’s…
Tampa Theatre hard hat tours allow members to touch the sky inside the historic venue
For the first time in a century, Tampa Theatre superfans can touch the sky at the historic venue. The opportunity comes as the theater’s big Duncan Auditorium and backstage undergoes a full restoration ahead of a centennial anniversary this October. Tampa Theatre’s smaller Taylor screening room remains open. A small team from Creative Loafing Tampa…
Documentary celebrating Rowdies and West Ham legend Clyde Best makes East Coast debut in St. Pete
Even before Lionel Messi, Son Heung-min and now Antoine Griezmann, American soccer leagues welcomed some of Europe’s biggest names. Bermudian Clyde Best, during his time in a West Ham United kit in the late-1960s, was often the only Black man in the stadium. He scored 47 goals for the legendary first division club before ending…
Maria Scruggs, first to file in St. Pete’s mayoral race, is also the only one to qualify by petition
St. Petersburg’s mayoral election happens in August, and five candidates want Mayor Ken Welch’s seat. All of them promise to improve the city’s infrastructure and affordability. Maria Scruggs, administrator at the Orange County Community Corrections Department, was first to enter the race last August. Scruggs, 68, believes her goals and background—with more than 40 years…
Op-ed: Asked how many felons have had their voting rights restored since he took office, Florida’s Attorney General talked about guns instead
On Nov. 6, 2018, over 5 million voters in Florida celebrated the passing of Amendment 4 as Florida joined the 46 states that allowed previously convicted people to vote. On June 28, 2019, 1.4 returning citizens were dismayed to learn that the Florida legislature was imposing financial requirements on their newly won rights. Some states…
New South Tampa seafood concept from Bern’s, Peddler + Potter Oyster House, opening in former Haven spot next year
A new seafood-focused restaurant from the people behind Bern’s Steak House is coming to South Tampa. This morning, Bern’s Steak House Group announced new details surrounding its latest endeavor, Peddler + Potter Oyster House, which will take over the Haven space at 1002 S Howard Ave. “As we looked at the long-term future of the…
Review: At Clearwater show, Alabama Shakes remind fans the band is always evolving
Brittany and the band walked onstage without much ceremony, skipping the kind of dramatic buildup that usually signals a long-awaited return. At center stage, Brittany Howard shimmered in a loose, silver, tinsel-like robe, its wide sleeves catching the light as she held an inverness green Gibson SG. “Rise to the Sun” opened slowly, unfolding as…
Despite new maps, Florida Democratic Reps. Kathy Castor & Debbie Wasserman Schultz say they’re running again
Two Florida Democratic members of Congress who have seen their districts radically altered by the newly approved congressional redistricting map this week said Friday that they intend to run again this fall. Tampa Bay’s Kathy Castor and South Florida’s Debbie Wasserman Schultz are among the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents following legislative passage of Gov. Ron…
![Demonstrators in St. Pete Highlight labor movement during May Day rally [PHOTOS]](https://i0.wp.com/www.cltampa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mayday-St.-Pete-20260502-Photo-by-Dave-Decker-4-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1)
Demonstrators in St. Pete Highlight labor movement during May Day rally [PHOTOS]
It was hot and sunny last Friday, for International Workers’ Day at a May Day rally with about 200 people gathered outside St. Petersburg City Hall. Some delivered speeches before a march to Williams Park along Central Avenue in downtown, and then back. It began with speeches from local organizers and St. Pete Council Member…
Photos: Dyke Night St. Pete’s goth party sells out at Crowbar
Brandon Lee would’ve been impressed with the looks inside Crowbar last Friday night. Dyke Night St. Pete once again took over the soon-to-close Ybor City venue for another edition of its popular dance night, this time with a goth theme. And yes, there were clams.
‘Go native’: FWC scientist has advice for Tampa Bay gardners replacing cold-damaged plants
As gardeners across Tampa Bay contemplate replacing their cold-damaged plants or landscaping with new plants amidst the ongoing drought , Johanna Freeman has some advice: go native. A scientist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in Gainesville specializing in terrestrial ecosystems, Freeman notes that native plants in backyards can imitate the wild places we are…
Florida Gov. DeSantis signs law making it easier to decertify teachers unions
Members of some public sector unions will need a greater share of their members to vote to keep their organizations alive, after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation Friday taking aim at teachers unions. The bill (SB 1296) will “provide once and for all for the decertification of partisan teacher unions,” DeSantis said before signing the…
Tampa MAGA influencer Craig Long arrested in Grady Judd’s prostitution sting
This morning, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd held a press conference highlighting the results of a local prostitution sting. The operation, which wielded 266 arrests, mostly involved adults seeking consensual sex with other adults, including prominent local MAGA influencer Craig Long. Judd started the press conference thanking the multiple departments and individuals that assisted with…
Hulk Hogan’s Tampa Bay mansion slashes $2 million from asking price
The primary residence of the late WWE legend Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, is now slightly cheaper after it was initially listed last January for just under $11 million. Located at 1040 Eldorado Ave., in Clearwater Beach, the waterfront home was originally purchased by Bollea back in 2012 for $3.3 million, and was originally listed…
Tampa Bay’s best live music happening May 1-7
The live music weekend is here, Tampa Bay, and it includes the return of Laura Jane Grace, two days of Tampa Riverfest and so much more. This listing of Tampa Bay’s best live music happening May 1-7 is compiled by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay staffers and contributors, then supplemented with select gigs listed on CL’s…
Laura Jane Grace returns to Ybor City for Tuesday concert
Against Me’s Laura Jane Grace has become a fixture in the Tampa Bay area concert calendar over the last few years, and returns to St. Petersburg with a new-to-her 1965 Gibson Melody Maker to help play songs from a solo discography that reaches back to 2018. UPDATE 05/04/26 6 p.m. This show has been moved…
‘Romeo’s Tune’ songwriter Steve Forbert plays sold-out St. Pete show this weekend
Despite a body of work that includes nearly two dozen studio albums going back to the late-’70s, Steve Forbert is still best known for a 1979 song, “Romeo’s Tune,” that hit No. 11 in America. Pulled from the Mississippi native’s debut, Alive On Arrival, the love song almost didn’t make the tracklist until a final…
‘Boys club’: Fired Tampa assistant chief alleges discrimination and retaliation, records show
Last month, a top Tampa Police Department employee was fired for “failing to meet the expectations” of her role as assistant chief, and little other explanation was initially provided to the public. The new details came to light this week after the City of Tampa released Assistant Chief Ruth Cate’s complaint and documents from the…
Tampa beat scene OG Sponatola releases new album on Sunday
Marc Irvin, a patriarch of Tampa’s beat scene better known as Sponatola, marks the release of a new album, Spaced Out, by bringing out a hibernating giant of Bay area hip-hop, Seefu McCloud. The release is Spon’s first of the year, and follows five 2025 beat tapes available on Bandcamp right now. Other producers like…
World’s largest collection of privately-owned Banksy artwork coming to Tampa
Featuring over 160 original works, the Art of Banksy exhibit will arrive at the David Straz Center’s Morsani Hall Stage on Saturday, Aug. 1, and run through Sunday, Aug. 30.
‘Rigging a system:’ Florida’s new congressional map expected to draw legal challenges
In the same afternoon Florida lawmakers gave approval to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ redrawn mid-decade congressional maps, advocacy groups made clear their opposition and expectation of legal challenges. Common Cause Florida said Wednesday afternoon it is exploring legal options. Florida’s proposed maps, critics say, don’t meet their criteria for fairness. The Legislature’s approval coincided with a…
Charlie Crist enters St. Pete mayoral race, says he would’ve taken state to court over mural removals
St. Pete’s crowded mayoral race has officially welcomed a long-anticipated contender with big pockets. Charlie Crist—former governor of Florida and U.S. representative for the state’s 13th congressional district, which includes St. Petersburg and Clearwater—filed his paperwork Monday, April 27. With more than $1.2 million in contributions from his PAC, St. Pete Shines, Crist currently has…
Temple Terrace police officer arrested after fatal crash that killed six-year-old
A Temple Terrace police officer has been terminated and arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) after an investigation found he crashed his cruiser at high speeds into a vehicle and killed a six-year-old girl. An independent investigation conducted by FHP, found that Officer Zachary Mason Krug, 25, was not conducting any law enforcement action…
Static Fest brings St. Louis punk bands to Dunedin on Saturday
Nearly a dozen punk and ska bands converge on downtown Dunedin this weekend, with much of the proceeds going towards helping the out of state acts—including St. Louis’ Wes Hoffman, and Vallencourt—find a place to sleep for the night. Tickets for Static Fest happening Moontower at Dunedin Brewery in Dunedin on Saturday, May 2 are…
