The art of bars and bands in Gulfport
Gulfport has three awesome things. Well, actually, far more than three, but no one will argue these: Gulfport has fantastic bars (bring your dog to Salty's for a giant Jenga game, anyone?), a thrumming music scene (hey, how many mayors have a band, especially one called "Hot Tub Club"?) and a veritable cornucopia of art…
Libations & long sleeves: Five winter drinks in St. Pete
Grab a beer or cocktail around St. Petersburg to entice your palate this season.
Iggy Azalea’s minstrel show is imploding
A mess that’s sure to go from bad to worse.
Meet the Brewers: Jorge Rosabal of Darwin Brewing
A unique Bradenton brewery adds South American spice to the scene.
Health & Fitness 2015: Pinellas Trail cycle-and-eat spots
Tasty places to dine as you cruise the Pinellas Trail.
An Earful: Joe Popp’s philanthropic TV show, Parquet Courts on Letterman, and a new Ol’ Dirty Sundays rock doc
Your local scene is making noise across the nation
Bryan Cranston and the return of Tim Burton: Hillsborough BOCC vote lays groundwork for $100k Burton film incentive
Citing extensive economic benefits, the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners asked county staff to develop an agreement that would give $100,000 in "incentives" to producers of Tim Burton's next big movie project, assuming they agree to certain terms. As the second film to set up shop in Tampa Bay in 2015, this year is shaping…
Set and Setting announces East Coast dates in support of A Vivid Memory
Stream singles “Coping” and “Acceptance” here.
Restaurant review: A healthful bounty awaits at Fresh Kitchen
SoHo’s Fresh Kitchen crafts flavorful, no-regrets fare with lots to choose from.
The Laugh Tract — who’s bringing the funny
Here's Your Sign: Bill Engvall is at Ruth Eckerd Hall Saturday night. What kind of comedy do you like? Music or hypnosis? Nationally-touring headliners or local talent? Want to see a free show? Whatever you like, we've got you covered this week. There will be plenty of variety on stages this weekend. Here are your…
Page Turners: Tampa Bay’s literary happenings
Big week for wordy whirls — Lectores, Zine Fest and more.
Do This: Hospitality New Year’s Party at Nova 535
Tonight, hundreds of servers, bartenders and barbacks will party like it's seven days ago when DJ Fresh Events & The Khonsari Law Group present the inaugural 2015 New Year's Eve Hospitality Ball at the NOVA Event Space on 535 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street in St. Petersburg. A week after witnessing a plethora of…
Sh*t happened 1/7/15: Scott re-upped, but it was still the best Tuesday ever
It seems a shame to dwell on any bad stuff in the wake of such a stupendous, historic Tuesday. That said, a certain rough beast's hour did come back 'round at last… Everybody's favorite cadaverous interest-conflicting public servant Rick Scott was sworn in for his second term as governor of Florida. Satan was unable to…
Kriseman officiates same-sex wedding in St. Pete
As same-sex couples celebrated the official end of the state's ban on gay marriage across Florida by tying the knot Tuesday, one couple had a particularly notable ceremony. St. Pete residents Bob Wallace and JoJo Phipps-Wallace were wed on the steps leading up to City Council chambers in a ceremony officiated by St. Pete Mayor…
New menus, digs for Compass Grille on the beach
St. Pete Beach’s Compass Grille will offer happy hour and dinner deals at its grand reopening.
Ybor Daily Market has for locals, by locals philosophy
Two Bay area cookie wizards are behind Ybor City’s new mixed-use Ybor Daily Market.
Happiness reigned: Photos from Hillsborough’s first same-sex wedding day
"There was an exuberance in the air, with everyone congratulating one another." That's how CL photographer Chip Weiner began his report on the most historic Florida wedding day of the century: today, January 6, when the stay on same-sex marriage was lifted and thousands of couples married across the state. Chip was at the Hillsborough…
Food Network doughnut-off highlights Dough delicacies
Watch Tampa’s Dough compete on Food Network Canada’s Donut Showdown Jan. 8.
Bubba vs. The Bone: Round One
Tampa Bay radio heats up as Bubba the Love Sponge returns to the FM dial.
Good morning! Here’s two dudes playing Slayer tunes on children’s instruments (VIDEO)
What more do you need to know? Click away, little hellions.
Sh*t happened 1/6/15: Gay marriage ensues, gas prices plummet, wrong-way drivers & more
"I hate Mondays," said Garfield, who was apparently under the impression it made him edgy, or something. Same-sex couples in Miami-Dade County got a jump yesterday on the stay holding up marriage licenses, as a judge in that county voluntarily lifted it himself, and Florida's first gay couples were legally married. Some bigoted groups are…
Same-sex marriage now legal in Tampa Bay, Florida; Bondi to altar-bound gays: like, whatEVER
As the first wave of Floridians said their wedding vows in Miami-Dade County Monday afternoon, Attorney General Pam Bondi's staff was busy penning a statement ripped from the chorus of a certain 2010 smash hit by CeeLo Green. "The judge has ruled, and we wish these couples the best," reads a statement a Bondi spokeswoman…
Food, drink writers ditch the kitchen for literary lectures
Two events on both sides of the bay to host authors Joy Sheffield Harris and Tim Federle.
Sh*t happened 1/5/15: Bubba’s back, Bondi changes stripes & body cams for Tampa cops
Is it Monday already? Let's run down the weekend in order to make ourselves feel better about that, shall we? FRIDAY, JAN. 2 Bubba The Love Sponge Clem (whew!) teamed up with WingHouse to celebrate his return to local airwaves by offering "Bubba Style Wings." Double breaded and double sauced in WingHouse's Dallas sauce, eating…
Lighten up with the dark comedy of Maron — season 2 now on Netflix
A heavy, thoughtful, funny podcast becomes a heavy, thoughtful, funny show.
Tonight in live music: Snarky Puppy at State Theatre
The Grammy-winning jazz fusion outfit upgrades a bigger venue for their return
Cook, store, reheat: A trio of time-saving meals
Prep a few meals in advance this week with help from The Make-Ahead Cook.
On the menu: Free Whole Foods street fair Jan. 23
Area artists and vendors unite for the monthly Local Market Nights at Whole Foods Tampa.
Brussels sprouts could be Beyonce’s next veg shout-out
According to MyFitnessPal’s food and drink trend data, at least.
Do This: The Weekend Top 10
Comedy, ballet, the Indie Market, History Bike Tampa highlight this weekend’s offerings.
Serial is an exciting, maybe dangerous model for podcasting
By making its audience part of an investigation, Serial has opened Pandora’s Box.
Sh*t happened 1/2/15: Gay marriage in Florida, Jeb preps & more
The news doesn't stop for your hangovers or ill-conceived declarations of intended self-betterment, people — though it did slow down a bit as the calendar flipped. Good news: The federal judge who struck down Florida's gay marriage ban as unconstitutional has elaborated on his original ruiing, saying it applies statewide. This means same-sex couples should…
This weekend in live music: Charles Bradley, Propagandhi, La Lucha album release show & more
Concerts this Fri.-Sun., Jan. 2-4
Happy New Year for LGBT couples: Judge Hinkle says yes, his ruling applies in all counties
The federal judge who declared Florida's same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional has further clarified his ruling, and in so doing has given a New Year's Day gift to every LGBT couple in Florida. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle, who made his decision on the marriage ban last August in a case brought by a gay male…
Tonight in live music: Prisoner, Rock the Park & more
Concerts this Thurs., Jan. 1, 2015
Listen to Tracy Shedd and Tampa’s own Rec Center take on an NYE classic on the New World Brewery patio
A charming end to a great year of local music
New list says St. Pete may get a tourist someday
It still feels like Christmas here in St. Pete as accolades keep pouring in. The latest acknowledgment of the Sunshine City's existence comes from a Huff(ington)-Post Travel blog entry that lists St. Pete among four other cities it deems "up-and-coming" tourism cities. It could only mean one thing: People are starting to notice that St. Pete…
Sh*t happened 12/31/14: International Plaza robbery, Tampa’s air gets an F & more
Coulliard started humming as he heated the pliers. Shaw recognized the tune; it was The Beatles' "Yesterday." Suddenly, the Frenchman was at his throat. "Think about yesterday," he said. "What made it important? What made it pivotal?" Shaw didn't know, couldn't think. He was preoccupied with the present, and his impending lack of a future.…
This New Year’s Eve in live music: Freekbass, Donna the Buffalo & more
Live music this Wed., Dec. 31, 2014.
Cheers to 2015! CL’s New Year’s Eve Party & Events
Some call it amateur night. Others do it up big. If you're itching to get out to celebrate the New Year, there are both grown-up only and family-friendly options to enjoy. Whether you're out or in, CL wishes you a safe and happy Happy New Year! Aqua-Eve Talk about a splashy event. Ring in the…
Enjoy a different NYE experience via St. Pete’s Passages
Keep St. Pete Lit, Bluebird Books Bus, NOMADstudio, and The Friends of Boyd Hill Nature Preserve join forces for an experience that should transport you far away from the same ol' same ol' this New Year's Eve. The event/interactive installation Passages will offer an afternoon and night of free hands-on creative activities inspired by voyages…
Happy Birthday to Wally B and Li Fe Malcolm! Celebrate tonight in Ybor
Li Fe Malcolm and Walter "Wally B" Jennings — Tampa spoken word leaders, longtime friends, cofounders of the live poetry event Black on Black Rhyme and both CL Best of the Bay winners — are celebrating birthdays this week (Wally B today, Malcolm on Jan. 1). Wally B won Best Spoken Word Artist in CL's…
Sh*t happened 12/30/14: Jeb kills it in the polls, the FBI (maybe) blows it, fake space lasers
Thomas sat on the bench and played with the little box, opening and closing it over and over, tilting it so the light from the streetlamp caught the tiny treasure inside at various, glittering angles. James pulled up and honked. "Thanks," said Thomas as he slid into the shotgun seat, the box still in his…
Tonight in live music: Sleepwave at State Theatre
The Spencer Chamberlain-led outfit hits St. Pete.
Politifact scours your uncle’s Facebook posts for some semblance of fact, surprisingly comes up short
"Memes," as they're commonly called, are those images you see with accompanying text that aim to reinforce your political views or those of someone you think is dumb. They crawl down your Facebook or Twitter feed ad nauseam throughout the day. Sometimes, if they're compelling enough (Sarah Palin says something that confirms she's as dumb…
Most Googled in Florida 2014: Michael Sam kiss, Jeb Bush, Travolta, Michael Douglas?
Just like everybody else online, real estate site Estately likes to get distracted, jumping around and digging up interesting facts, stats and tidbits, not all of which are directly related to the site's primary aim. They did a little bit of Google Trending, and broke down which terms were Googled more in each state than…
New Year’s toasts & feasts: Celebrating the big night out
It’s time to welcome a new year, party people.
Naked City: A 2015 nude St. Pete-Tampa calendar is now available
It’s one thing to be a hometown buff, but would you pose in the buff to commemorate a landmark?
Sh*t happened 12/29/14: Stabby Screech, stolen Jesus, Bucs lock No. 1 draft pick
There isn't a lot going on in the post-Christmas, pre-NYE news lull beyond the usual year-end lists, but Jesus, NATO and Dustin Diamond managed to provide us with a little lunacy. Let's review: FRIDAY, DEC. 26 Screech from Saved by the Bell was charged with stabbing a man in a Christmas Day barfight. Listen, man, you…
Tonight in live music: 97X Free 4 All with Bleachers
The last free 97X show of 2014 brings the Jack Antonoff-led project to St. Pete
The Laugh Tract — who’s bringing the funny
Special New Year’s Eve shows are part of the stand-up fun this weekend.
Changes hit downtown St. Pete drink scene
St. Petersburg’s Station House, Octave and @548 have the latest in food and drink news.
Do This: The Weekend Top 5
Live bands, burlesque, ballet and cabaret entertain the dysfunction away this weekend.
As Tampa Bay mulls police body cams, initial study finds promise
When it comes to the question of whether to equip cops with body cameras as a way to prevent police interactions from becoming violent, writes Elizabeth Behrman in The Tampa Tribune, there's a range of opinion among local law enforcement. While Tampa and Sarasota as well as Pasco counties are planning to incorporate them (Temple…
This weekend in live music: Hymn for Her, Oliver Heldens & more
Concerts this Sat.-Sun., Dec. 27-28
Naked burger, more on Clementine Café grub lineup
Clementine Café reveals a few menu offerings before its launch next month.
The Wire digital remaster is on HBO Signature NOW!
Let’s be completely clear. The Wire is the greatest television serial drama of all time (at least, if you’re a guy, but we’ll save that discussion). It’s a Shakespearean drama that excises and exposes America’s heart of darkness through characters who are at once very real and mythically huge. It is moving, and intricate, and…
Wicked ‘Wiches to open restaurant, bar on SoHo strip
Tampa’s Wicked ‘Wiches & Brew is the Bay area’s latest food-truck-turned-restaurant.
Tonight in live music: Kyle Chason & Broken Things co-CD release party, Ryan Elliott & more
Concerts this Fri., Dec. 26.
Sh*t happened 12/26/14: TSA confiscations, McCoy goes Pro Bowl (again) & more
And a single, brilliant star rose in the east, more vibrant than the rest, as if like a beacon. "What's that?" asked Gary, as the star's immaculate light struck him with the intensity of a thousand white-hot suns. "Probably viral marketing," said Rodney, and went back to learning to play "Smoke On The Water" on…
The Hip Hop ABCs: Letter Y
The alphabetical rap battle series nears its conclusion
The Year in Listicles: 6 things that will ruin a Cuban sandwich
Pray for humanity.
The Year in Lists: 5 new joints that totally killed it in 2014
*clap emoji* *clap emoji* *clap emoji* *clap emoji*
Tampa Theatre to screen The Interview this weekend
See the film that sparked the entertainment industry’s biggest cyber attack. But is it anywhere as good as other films premiering this week?
The Year in Listicles: 18 mac ‘n’ cheeses that are better than your boo
Love is important, but so is pasta.
Drink More Wine: Demystifying bubbles
And why our food critic is forever drinking those fizz-filled bottles.
A Year in Lists: 13 Albums that Rocked 2014
My favorite albums of the year — local, national and overseas talents included.
Woman attempts to destroy Satanic Temple holiday display; having nice things continues to elude us
Barely 24 hours after the secular Satanic Temple's fallen angel display went up at the state capitol building rotunda in Tallahassee, some lady has already tried to deface it. Details are scant on why she did it, but the display's unidentified assailant was taken into police custody. Lucien Greaves, a cofounder and spokesman for the…
Joe Cocker: The Legacy of a Spirit
Joe Cocker’s musical arc was complex and sometimes compromised.
The year in visual art: Milestones, goodbyes and new beginnings
A look back at the arts heroes who left us, landmark exhibitions and some breakthrough moments.
8 murals that make us heart the Burg
Downtown St. Petersburg is now a mural mecca, and the national media have taken notice. In addition to the virtual stpetemuraltour.com, established to familiarize locals with the artists, the Mural Walking Tour gets art lovers to hoof it weekly on Saturday mornings. Here, we wish to provide ink and recognition to some of the hard-working…
Movie review: Into the Woods follows the path of the Broadway original
The “Disney-fication” of this Sondheim classic hasn’t blunted its heart or hummability.
The Year in Lists: 7 Stories That Refused To Die In 2014 No Matter How Much We Wanted Them To!
Not all news stories, particularly the complicated ones, can be wrapped up in a couple of sound bites. But some stories, either because of lengthy legal processes, political posturing or private obsessions, drag on and on. Here are the worst offenders — news stories in 2014 that stuck around well beyond their expiration date. 1.…
Planning to marry your same-sex partner on Jan. 6? Not so fast.
In this week's CL, Publisher James Howard states his intention to marry his longtime partner on Jan. 6 — supposedly the first day same-sex couples can be wed in Florida. But not so fast. When he called the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court's office today to find out how to obtain a marriage license, he was…
10 amazing shows that Leib totally loved!
CL’s esteemed theater critic weighs in with his own listicle.
Year-end lists: 12 movie moments I can’t get out of my head!
Ever since 1971 (with some pauses), Richard T. Jameson and Kathleen Murphy have published am annual “Moments Out of Time” list, capturing “the ephemeral moments of cinema magic throughout the previous year.” I discovered the lists in the 1980s and have been fascinated by them ever since. I totally get it — who amongst us…
The Year in Listicles: 21 boozy weekend brunches worth waking up for
Where to score breakfast, or lunch, with a side of alcohol.
The Year in Listicles: 10 things that opened in Tampa Bay that weren’t breweries
You won’t believe how many non-brewery bizes opened this year.
Year-end lists: 8 things those listicles got wrong about us
It happens every three months or so. Someone on your Facebook or Twitter feed shares a link to a list attempting to define you and your city. Some of the lists are pretty accurate, others are way off, and most of them we’ve come across in the past year or so (it’s impossible to resist…
Restaurant review: 10 unbelievable facts about Locale Market
Locale Market’s magic kingdom in downtown St. Pete sets a new standard for the Bay area.
Year-end lists: Dark & Sinful
The Top Ten Signs You’re Black and You’ve Heard of Kwanzaa, But Know Nothing about Kwanzaa: 1. You think it’s Black Hanukkah. 2. The word “Swahili” sounds like it should be a dish at Ulele. Something lavender-infused. 3. You know Kwanzaa has something to do with Africa; but, on the spot, you can’t name a…
Nominate your favorite St. Pete muse!
AASP invites the community to vote on favorite artists, performers who inspire all.
Transforming Tampa Bay: The St. Pete Pier: 8 proposals — and 1 fantastic solution!
Imagination is a wonderful thing, as is democracy. However, the idea that crowd-sourcing design makes for excellence is fatally flawed — witness the camel (a horse created by committee). St. Pete’s mayor and City Council are soliciting public input from every citizen over 18 years old on the eight design finalists for the new St.…
Poet’s notebook: Carousel Christmas
Carnivals and cotton candy Carousels and calliopes Fortune-tellers in glass cases We will always remember these . . . This December, Jeanne and I decided to use her drawing of a carousel horse for our annual Christmas card, which is something of an odd choice. We’ve often been drawn to carousels in romantic places, like…
Publisher’s note: You’ve come a long way, Florida
Florida has come a long way from when I moved here in 1989, and so have I. Back then, finding similar friends was limited to gay bars, cruisy areas, and the men-seeking-men section in the back pages of CL. We still have a lot of great gay bars across Tampa Bay, but I’m not really…
Live and local spotlight: New Granada Records 20-year Anniversary Celebration
Beloved Tampa emo outfit Pohgoh reunites for New Granada’s three-night bash, which kicks off on Christmas night
