The Best of Koyama Press’s Weird Comics for 2015
One of alt-comics’ most distinctive imprints is having an impressive year.
Movie Review — Florida Man finds humanity where we rarely look
Director Sean Dunne gets to know the men we’d prefer to laugh at and forget.
Della’s After Dark limits restaurant to private events
When chef Debbie Frangipane ends her time at After Dark, private events will only be offered.
Wanda Sykes to offer parental guidance at Ruth Eckerd Hall Friday night
Out, married with kids, the comedy star is in top form at 50.
Theater review: Butcher Holler Here We Come
A Silver Meteor production assaults the viewer’s perceptions with an immersive, visceral experience.
Sh*t happened 2/26/15: I don’t even want to joke about it
Ye gods, I can't even do it. Between one of the last Florida panthers being run over, firefighters suing a helmet manufacturer and the usual shit about trolls gaming online reviews, there's really just not a lot of piss to be taken with regard to today's news. So here's an enjoyable pic of a guy…
Drinking Issue 2015: Cocktails — you call the shots
Dos and don’ts from a bartending maestro.
Drinking Issue 2015: Beer — kit and ca-brew-dle
With the right equipment and support, handmade beer is within reach.
Drinking Issue 2015: Go cold-pressed crazy
You know you want to.
Drinking Issue 2015: Kava — embrace the communal root
Making kava at home is time-consuming, but worth it.
Drinking Issue 2015: Your booch! It’s alive!
Dive into cultural studies 101.
Drinking Issue 2015: Step up your vino game
It’s time to ditch the boxed wine for an at-home wine cellar.
USF protest highlights plight of adjunct faculty
On an overcast Wednesday as the surrounding campus teemed with activity, a handful of people were gathered outside USF Marshall Center to shed light on an issue that doesn't get a whole lot of attention: the paltry pay that adjunct faculty receive. Adjunct professors teach at colleges and universities; usually core or lower-level classes. Despite…
Drinking Issue 2015: Tampa Bay Beer Week highlights
Whether you’re into sipping at festivals, bottle releases or food-pairing affairs, Beer Week’s got it all.
Election? What election? Tuesday’s low-profile Tampa contests could have more impact than voters assume.
If you live in Tampa and haven’t thought about Tuesday’s election, you may want to, especially if you plan on sticking around for a few decades. Sure, local elections aren’t sexy, and they get short shrift in the media (who wants to talk about stormwater when we can scream about abortion?). Sure, there’s not much…
SCENE BREAKER: Festival scores star, freeFall scores décor and SaraSolo score = one soloist down
Here’s what’s behind the curtain this week in Tampa Bay theater… BRIGHT LIGHTS? CHECK. BIG CITY? CHECK. CHEAP TABLES? SCORE! Among other distinctions, freeFall Theatre is famous for immersive audience seating schemes tailored by show, depositing patrons on mismatched institutional day-room chairs for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and funky sofas and pillows for…
Tampa restos introduce limited-time items, new menus
Dishes like strawberry-inflected ravioli and gator spring rolls set to appear on Tampa eatery lineups.
Group that fought the Lens urges public scrutiny of Pier designs
As you may or may not know, a non-binding poll is underway that allows St. Pete residents (registered voters anyone over 18, anyway*), to weigh in on which of the seven design proposals should be chosen to replace the St. Petersburg Pier. Each of the designs was put together by a different collection of architectural firms,…
The Hip Hop ABCs: Letter A; vote on Letter B
The alphabetical rap battles continue.
Treasure Island’s CJ on the Island headquarters for CMT’s Party Down South
The self-proclaimed biggest partiers in the South are taking over reality TV once again, at a beach nearby. Party Down South debuts its third season on CMT at 9 p.m. Thursday. And if you were at CJ's On The Island on Treasure Island this past Monday, you might just be seeing yourself on television hanging…
Fundraiser brings Tampa’s Democrats together in support for Hillary Clinton campaign
While Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential run has yet to be made official, the expected Democratic frontrunner has still been the beneficiary of the numerous political action committees that have become a staple of election season. One of the earliest Clinton supporting PACs, the Ready For Hillary PAC, created in 2013 by former Clinton staffer Adam…
A Q&A with Dr. Chris Gurrie
The University of Tampa ‘speech guy’ shares his globe trotting experiences in a brand new one man show, “Searching for a Purpose.”
The Laugh Tract — Who’s Bringing the Funny
A couple of well-known funny ladies are in town this weekend. But that's just a part of the comedy schedule. There's also magicians, local comedians and a popular "Jackass" to see. Here's the list of stand-up comedians hitting stages this weekend. Theaters and Special Events CL Pick: Wanda Sykes at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Sykes' reputation…
Sh*t happened 2/25/15: Zimmerman skates, neighborhood shooters skate, Chris Brown gets border-punked
Tuesday blew by like a tornado of kamikaze wasps frustrating at having been blown off-course and just looking for a reason to drop ass-first into angry oblivion. No, wait — foggy. It was foggy. The U.S. Department of Justice has completed its investigation into unarmed 18-year-old Trayvon Martin's death at the hands of frequent law-enforcement…
St. Petersburg Jazz Festival brings five days of grooves to four area venues
Among the scheduled performers are James Varnado Jazz/Funk Band and The Claudia Quintet (full schedule plus video included)
Movie review — Two Days, One Night
The brothers Dardenne’s working class opus takes us through the best-worst weekend ever.
Zimmerman is still not in trouble for killing Trayvon Martin
Florida man George Zimmerman, America's favorite gun owner, is once again out of the woods after a the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday it is closing its investigation over whether he violated the civil rights of Trayvon Martin when he fatally shot him in February of 2012. The aim of the investigation was to determine…
Environmentalists tout new study highlighting the influence of “corporate polluters”
As a congressional block to an executive order to restore federal protection of smaller waterways looms, environmental groups in Florida are trying to draw attention to the potential harm of not having those protections in place. Standing on the steps of St. Pete City Hall Tuesday, Environment Florida and other groups held a press conference…
Album review: Drake, If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
A look at the unexpected new mixtape release from Drake; stream included.
Sh*t happened 2/24/15: Dolphins, manatees and Sam Smith, oh my
Monday was not a great day to be on the sea's hit list. A 39-foot fishing boat ran not just aground, but into a Ruskin-area beachside restaurant. Witnesses blamed the encroaching fog, but some were suspicious about the timing, which saw the boat hit the bar just two minutes before the end of Happy Hour.…
Afternoon delights: Los Vinos de Dali features local tastes, boutique pours
Enjoy a three-hour tasting in Dali’s garden, and explore the museum exhibits, at Los Vinos de Dali.
New Music Tuesday! (February 24): Iron & Wine, Big Sean, Emile Haynie, Gang of Four + more
A curated list of the most noteworthy albums out this week; audio & video included.
Album review: Dan Deacon, Gliss Riffer
More of the same from the electro-punk musician. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
The good, the bad and the tacky of the Academy Awards
Though mainly a snoozefest, there were a few award winning moments during Sunday night’s airing of the 87th annual Academy Awards.
Coworkers react to news of Apryl Foster’s death
Those who were close to Apryl Foster, the 33-year-old Brandon woman who went missing Feb. 12, are mourning after her body was found Sunday submerged in her car in a lake near her home. Officials confirmed that it was indeed her Monday afternoon. For those who worked with her at Ulele, the Tampa Heights restaurant where…
Sh*t happened 2/23/15: Common Core, Chuck D, the Oscars
Good morning! How was your weekend? Great! Now let us never speak of it again: FRIDAY, FEB. 20 Eckerd College announces that Public Enemy's Chuck D will speak at its Fox Hall this Wednesday, Feb. 25. If this news doesn't really, really excite you, you're either too young or too old for us to be…
Jobsite pays Horovitz proper respects with a powerful reading of Sins of the Mother
Famed playwright Israel Horovitz completed his residency with Jobsite Theater this weekend, culminating in an effective staged reading of Sins of the Mother, from his Gloucester play cycle, at Straz's TECO Theater. The experience went so well that both Jenkins and Horovitz expressed intentions of making the winter residency a recurring project. (Horovitz vacations in Florida…
Tonight in live music: Trash Talk at Orpheum, Ybor City
The thrash-punk group hits town with Lee Bannon and Ratking.
Dance Review: Moving Current’s show of strength
Moving Current Dance Collective is back in fine form at HCC YBOR.
Concert review: Justin Townes Earle with Gill Landry at Crowbar, Ybor City
A look back at the Mon., Feb. 16 show, with photos.
Let there be Lights On Tampa
They’ve done it again! Lights, action, and fun come to downtown Tampa.
Food rivals: Tampa, Miami Cuban sandwiches to face off at annual fest
Ybor’s yearly Cuban sandwich battle will draw the best from South Florida, Tampa Bay and more.
Do This: The Weekend Top 10
Lights on Tampa concludes, Paul Reiser’s in town, Chinese New Year fun, two great art shows and more.
Humpback Whales beach at MOSI’s IMAX Dome
For years, humpback whales have been a mystery to scientists. No one knows why they are the “most acrobatic of all whales,” why they “sing their haunting songs,” and why they often migrate 10,000 miles every year — until now. Audiences of the new film Humpback Whales will get a never-before-seen view that shows how…
This weekend in live music: Ryan Bingham & Lucero, Hyperbolic Chamber Music 3, Excision + more
Concerts this Sat.-Sun., Feb. 21-22
Council candidate Jackie Toledo scores citizen complaint over use of city seal photo
As far as municipal elections go, Tampa's city elections are pretty low-key. After all, the mayoral race is pretty much in the bag for incumbent Mayor Bob Buckhorn (sorry Jose Vazquez), and the five city council races have largely been a yawner for all but the most immersed of local politicos. Until now. The three-way…
Bay area weekend sports events
This weekend begins a sports smorgasbord of sorts in the Tampa Bay area that includes baseball, golf, motorcycles, running and plenty of fun. — The AMSOIL Arenacross event highlights the weekend in a unique form of off-road motorcycle racing on a dirt track inside the Amalie Arena — a dirt obstacle course that was constructed…
Famed playwright Israel Horovitz makes himself at home with Jobsite Theater
The living legend and father of a Beastie Boy is directing a staged reading of his play Sins of the Mother.
Tampa early voting starts Monday
Unless you're one of the 10,990 or so Tampa voters who have already cast a ballot by mail, you have about a week and a half to weigh in on multiple city council seats. And there are about a jillion ways to do so. On Monday, seven days' worth of early voting will start for…
Tonight in live music: Kristian Nairn’s “Rave of Thrones,” The Music of Styx with Rock Syphmony & more
Live music this Fri., Feb. 20
Sh*t happened 2/20/15: Walmart raises, New Beginnings cleared
Remember that feeling you used to get when you woke up on Saturday morning as a kid, bright-eyed and immediately alert to the world's endless possibilities? Yeah, me neither. Thanks, world. New Beginnings, the homeless charity that came under scrutiny last December for putting its homeless residents to work selling concessions at local professional athletic…
Clearwater Seafood & Blues Festival brings Amos Lee, Robert Randolph & others to Coachman Park
The ninth annual fest brings an appealing lineup of food and tunes to Clearwater this Sat.-Sun., Feb. 21-22
USF med school in Vinik-land gets state panel’s blessing
Local officials are cautiously optimistic after the Florida Board of Governors "unanimously and enthusiastically" endorsed a proposal to build a USF medical school and heart institute in what is now Tampa's Channelside district. Many local leaders see the med school and heart institute as integral to the success of Vinik's $1.1 billion development proposal in…
Blur announce first album in 12 years, The Magic Whip, share lyric video for “Go Out”
Damon Albarn and co. drop their eighth album on Apr. 28
Worth the drive — DC Comics dynamic illustrator duo at Ringling
Meet Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner in Sarasota and see what it’s like to live the dream.
It’s a comedy Hart attack! Kevin Hart returns for two shows May 8
The blockbuster comedy star headlines downtown Tampa’s Amalie Arena Friday night.
Rays “news”: St. Pete to study stadium’s economic impact or something
Over the course of a two-hour workshop, members of the St. Pete City Council talked about the ins and outs of wooing the Tampa Bay Rays, who are poised to prematurely leave Tropicana Field because they can. Ultimately the council resolved that, yes, the Rays should stay in St. Pete and unanimously voted to ask…
Poet’s Notebook: Ready for Hillary?
A fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing. —Archilochus (680-645 BC) I admit I haven’t read Hillary Clinton’s memoir, Hard Choices. It sounds like a boring reference book, but she was fine on the Jon Stewart show: quick, funny, likable. The question these days is, Would we welcome a Clinton run…
Tampa’s Sampling Science hosts crash courses in craft beer Friday
Guests will get schooled by Bay area brewers and more during USF Tampa’s Sampling Science.
Ball of Confucians — Happy Chinese New Year!
Happy 4713! Chinese New Year begins on Feb. 19 and ends on March 5. Venues across the Tampa Bay area are celebrating. The Suncoast Association of Chinese Americans will host its Chinese New Year Festival in Largo Cultural Park on Sat., Feb. 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The fest features an outdoor market, performances, food and…
Tonight in live music: Al Di Meola, The Wailers, Gulf Shores, Nate Najar Quartet
Concerts this Thurs., Feb. 19
Gasparilla Arts Month: Gasp!
Putting the gasp in Gasparilla.
International intrigue: A preview of next week’s world affairs conference at USF St. Pete
Whether it’s gun control, transit or the minutiae of presidential politics, so much news courses through our social media feeds and across our TV screens that it’s hard to catch it all. And that’s before you get to what’s happening overseas, where multiple conflicts are raging on multiple continents. Next week, the third annual St.…
Gasparilla Arts Month 2015: Fests, food, art & more
From visual arts in Curtis Hixon to digital innovation in Port of Tampa, CL has your festival season covered.
Blowfly brings his explicit brand of merriment to Brass Mug for his 76th Birthday Bash
The “Original Dirty Rapper” returns to town for the first time in more than 11 years
